Bits: Facebook Arms for Patent Fight With $550 Million Deal
Less than two weeks after Microsoft paid AOL more than $1 billion for a trove of its patents, Microsoft is selling or licensing those same patents to its online ally, Facebook, for $550 million.
DealBook: Microsoft Deal May Give Facebook Heft in Yahoo Patent Fight
Facebook said it would buy patents that Microsoft bought from AOL earlier this month, as the social networking giant seeks to bolster its defenses in a legal fight with Yahoo.
Microsoft to Buy AOL Patents for More Than $1 Billion
The lofty price Microsoft paid AOL for 800 patents — $1.3 million each — reflects the crucial role patents are playing in the business and legal strategies of technology companies.
DealBook: AOL Shares Soar on Patent Deal With Microsoft
While shares rose more than 45 percent, it remains to be seen whether one of the company’s largest shareholders, Starboard Value, will find the deal sufficient.
DealBook: AOL Strikes $1.1 Billion Patent Deal With Microsoft
AOL agreed on Monday to sell Microsoft a portfolio of over 800 patents, and license about 300 more, amid an arms race within the technology industry for intellectual property.
Huffington Gains More Control in AOL Revamping
One year after its acquisition by AOL, The Huffington Post has become a source of growth with several business units now in Arianna Huffington’s hands, a move intended to add sections and products faster.
Bits Blog: AOL Slashes Staff at AIM Unit; Wider Cuts Expected
On Friday, AOL notified more than 40 employees from its West Coast offices that they would be out of jobs by the end of the month. More cuts are scheduled in the coming weeks across AOL. The layoffs are expected to include more than 100 AOL employees.
Talk: AOL’s Tim Armstrong Knows How to Play Nice With Others
Tim Armstrong, the C.E.O. of AOL, knows how to play nice with others.
AOL Profit Declines but Beats Expectations
Fourth-quarter earnings declined to $22.8 million, compared with $66.2 million a year ago.
Web Piracy Bills Invite a Protracted Battle
The Obama administration’s statement of opposition to antipiracy legislation let the technology industry claim a victory, but few in Silicon Valley or Hollywood consider the battle over.
AOL, Yahoo and Microsoft Are Said to Reach an Ad Deal
The three major technology companies have traditionally competed for digital advertising revenue, but they will now sell ads for one another.
Bits Blog: At TechCrunch Conference, Talk of a Bubble
This year’s TechCrunch Disrupt conference in San Francisco was rife with debate over whether the technology industry was experiencing Bubble 2.0.
