The tech world is swimming in patent trolls and few companies have as much of an incentive to change that as Google. The company already launched a marketplace for companies to sell patents directly to Google back in April, but now that marketplace is expanding in the other direction. Now, in an effort to combat patent trolls, Google is offering to share its patents with other companies, specifically small startups.
Back in April, Google launched a pop-up, temporary marketplace for companies to sell patents, with Google being the sole buyer. Today, the search and mobile giant is expanding that marketplace in the other direction: Google has started a program for startups to buy up to two non-organic patent families off Google. It is tying the offer into a requirement to join the LOT Network, a cross-company licensing push (others in the group include Dropbox, SAP and Canon) aimed at driving down the number of patent trolling suits. If you are interested, you should get in touch quickly. Initially, this will only be open to the first 50 eligible startups. And what makes you eligible? There are a few caveats and requirements for startups to qualify to buy Google’s patents. First, a company’s 2014 revenues had to be between $50,000 and $200 million.
