Google's promise not to assert 10 patents against open source software: just a PR stunt
In 2005, it became very common for tech companies to start showing good faith and asserting patents to the general public that could be mutually used. This tactic was made popular by IBM, Sun Microsystems, and Computer Associates. It was seen early on that this actually didn't do anything but it still showed good face for a little while.
Today Google had finally pledged it's first patent, nearly 8 years later. They pledged a total of ten. This may seem like a lot but it is actually an extremely low amount. By this point IBM has already pledged 500 patents and Sun has pledged over 1,600. Google pledging 10 is an extremely low amount considering they have over 17,000 total patents.
It is clear that Google has ulterior motives given this low amount. Google also gave nine patents to HTC but this was only in attempt to sue Apple.
This is a horrible outlook in terms of the patent wars since companies have try to put this on facade to seem as if they aren't as competitive but Google is a clear example they are.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPAqc2cbm9o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPAqc2cbm9o
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