Apple Pays at Least $10 Million to License Palm-Related Patents From ACCESS

As noted by Mac Otakara, Japanese firm ACCESS today announced [Google translation] that Apple has agreed to license a set of patents related to Palm's smartphone technology. ACCESS acquired the patents when it purchased PalmSource in 2005.

ACCESS notes that the portfolio of patents, which was licensed to Samsung in 2011, includes intellectual property from Palm, PalmSource, Bell Communications Research, and Geoworks.

The press release from ACCESS indicates that it will record roughly 1 billion yen ($10 million) in revenue for the quarter as part of the deal, which closed on March 31. ACCESS will evaluate the impact of the deal on the following quarter and full fiscal year and will revise its earnings forecast appropriately.

Top Rated Comments

nicmr

171 months ago

doesn't specifically said what kind of patent apple is buying, which makes me curious.

but 10 million dollar for the patent must be an important one.

There's a portfolio of patents.

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

IzzyJG99

171 months ago

Remember when this was awesome?

I kind of miss palm. I still have my Tungsten E.

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

firewood

171 months ago

Palm developed the first popular handheld tablets and smartphones that sold millions of devices, years before the iPhone (but after the Newton). Thus Palm patented tons of stuff in that area.

Lots of mobile app developers started out doing apps for PalmOS. PilotGear/PalmGear was the big app Store.

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

spazzcat

171 months ago

doesn't specifically said what kind of patent apple is buying, which makes me curious.

but 10 million dollar for the patent must be an important one.

They are not even buying they are licensing for that amount.

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Tankmaze

171 months ago

doesn't specifically said what kind of patent apple is buying, which makes me curious.

but 10 million dollar for the patent must be an important one.

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

jonAppleSeed

171 months ago

Apple should just buy them, then revoke the licenses from Samsung.

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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