Did Apple see the Lodsys debacle coming?

In a move that could be seen as means to fighting off potential legal challenges in the future, it's been revealed Apple has picked up more than 200 patents from Freescale Semiconductor – the firm spun off from Motorola in 2003.

As you'd expect, website Patently O is reporting that they likely relate to computer hardware and wireless devices.

Examples include: patent 7929636 - Techniques for reducing precoding overhead in a multiple-input multiple-output wireless communication system; and 6950910 - Mobile wireless communication device architectures and methods therefor.

Power of the patent

Apple apparently took receipt of the patents back on April 11, though details regarding the acquisitions – which may have come about via a cash purchase – have only now come to light.

"It is unclear from the information now available whether Apple obtained full title to the patents and whether Apple purchased the rights or obtained them through some other type of transaction," the site reports.

"However, a cash purchase is likely because Apple has a large multi-billion-dollar cash surplus while Freescale has a large multi-billion-dollar debt that has come due.

"The patents were previously mortgaged and a release of the security interest has not yet been recorded."

The news comes after Apple issues a strongly-worded response to the threat of multiple legal action by Lodsys against multiple developers.

The company has claimed it is "fully prepared" to defend its rights against patent challenges.

[source: Patently O]