Google Seeks Nortel Replacement

Having blanched at spending more than $4.5 billion for the 6,000 Nortel patents that were supposed to help it build a fortress against infringement claims - even if some of the money was Intel's - patent-short Google is reportedly talking acquisition with InterDigital, whose wireless IP could reportedly help protect its litigation-attracting Android franchise.

Google's interest reportedly led InterDigital to hire Evercore Partners and Barclays Capital to explore strategic alternatives that could clearly lead to, oh, say Apple and Microsoft.

Maureen O'Gara the most read innovation reporter for the past 20 years, is the Cloud Computing and Virtualization News Desk editor of SYS-CON Media. She is the publisher of famous "Billygrams" and the editor-in-chief of "Client/Server News" for more than a decade. One of the most respected research reporters in the business, Maureen can be reached by email at maureen(at)sys-con.com or paperboy(at)g2news.com, and by phone at 516 759-7025. Twitter: @MaureenOGara