Don't Look at the SUITS, it's the Size of the Portfolio that Matters

While I will be dealing with the issues of the lower layers of mobile Internet connectivity at the Mobility Tech Conference October 3-5, our friend Noreen Rucinski will be looking at the aftermath of the of the Portfolio War that is unfolding now that Apple has won its case at the SUITS Conference.

The issue of Intellectual Property does not stand alone in the mix of problems we face. If the goal is an open Internet then the role of IP is a two edge sword that protects the originator and manages distribution, while navigating value with terms like just and reasonable.

Personally, I felt that the Apple patent victory was a hometown win more than a true test of their SUITe of patents.

Intellectual Property has been passed around these days like a game of Go Fish and I am not sure if the dust is settling anytime soon. Noreen has secured John Horvath of Google to come and speak about how he views the situation and I think it’s a perfect tie in to Google’s other discussants including Aparna Sridhar Telecom Counsel and Milo Medin, VP of Access Service will be sharing at the Super Wi-Fi Summit. As well as Rick Whitt (now on the Motorola Mobility side of Google) who will be talking about the Mobile Ecosystem.

I am not saying that Google can do no evil, but I am saying it has ideas about what the Net should be that goes beyond its primary service and suggests a level playing field. The desire to open up spectrum and bring more access and connectivity in and of itself does not guarantee Google success, but like Cisco with packets, Google has never met a search it did not like. So whether it’s a local show, a map to store or a mobile inquiry, Google wants to be in the game.

Taken in combination, I believe our discussions are going to bring some insight into taking you beyond what your patent is currently, but how it may fit into the mix of needs for the battles that lie ahead.

And the Samsung loss was a skirmish for what is to come. Google and Android are the target for Apple and they may build a series of wins before they launch the frontal assault, but it clearly is in the works.

Ironically it may be that the Bring Your Own Device [BYOD] session may represent the safest position for enterprises to avoid being dragged into the discussion of what devices are approved and why.

While I am very hopeful that Microsoft and RIM add to the look and feel discussions, I am sure the Apple Ecosystem is secure for today. Like Harvey Spector, in USA’s Suits, Apple hates to lose.

You may need to join Noreen just to see if your patents are safe from the wake of this battle of the titans.

Want to learn more about patents in the telecom industry? Then be sure to attend Synopsis Under IP/Patents Telecom Sourcing Conference (SUITS), collocated with ITEXPO West 2012 taking place Oct. 2-5, in Austin, TX.   Stay in touch with everything happening at SUITS. Follow us on Twitter.