Google launches PAX, a program to end patent wars among Android OEMs

Google has just unveiled its new program which is directed towards protecting Android OEMs from patent wars and thus ensure peace among smartphone makers. Google’s PAX agreement stands for Android Networked Cross-License Agreement and is aimed at steering clear of legal disputes involving OEMs over software patents.

Google PAX, (“peace” in Latin) will now help members “grant each other royalty-free patent licenses covering Android and Google Applications on qualified devices. “The open-source Android eco-system has grown massively over the years and now includes more than 400 partner manufacturers and 500 carriers who have produced more than 4,000 devices in the past year.

The number of active users across the globe has reached an astonishing 1.6 billion and with such a competitive ecosystem, Google wants to ensure that smartphone makers do not get caught up in patent wars, and continue to innovate and dedicate their resources to creating new products.

A number of technology companies have already signed the Google PAX agreement, including Google, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Foxconn Technology Group, HMD Global, HTC, Coolpad, BQ, and Allview.

These members own over 230,000 patents which mean there will be fewer Android OEMs will risk being sued over patent infringements. Google expects more companies to join this initiative. On the contrary, it is worth noting that PAX can pose some disadvantages as well.

OEMs that sign the agreement are safe from patent disputes from other members, but companies that refuse to join might become targets of those manufacturers sitting under the PAX umbrella. Also, PAX members could become less competitive as they lose their ability to assert to their intellectual property against rival members.

Smaller companies who join PAX could benefit the most, as they don’t have to assign valuable financial resources to patent disputes, but their voice will weigh in less among PAX members, in case some adjustments to the agreement were to be made along the way. Considering the confidential nature of PAX, details about the agreement won’t be released and its efficiency can only be proven in time.