From May 8, 2015 through May 22, 2015, Google will be accepting applications from patent-holders wishing to sell any patent to Google through its experimental Patent Purchase Program. Google will review the batch of applications and intends to inform sellers of its decision to purchase or not by June 26, 2015, and to pay the sellers by late August, 2015.
Part of the motivation for the program seems to be to address the problem of patent trolls. Google hopes that its program will improve the marketplace for patents for everyone, but especially for smaller participants, who too often end up selling their patents to patent trolls.
Further information:
- Google’s Patent Site
- Google’s Announcement
- Details of the Program (PDF)
- FAQs (PDF)
- Patent Purchase Agreement (PDF)