Google Program Fights Patent Trolls, Aids Start-ups

Google Program Fights Patent Trolls, Aids Start-ups

Some of the world's biggest tech companies began in someone's garage—a couple of scrappy kids turning their dreams into a reality. Now, start-ups rent trendy loft space and document their progress on social media.

But budding empires can still use a little push. So Google has introduced the Patent Starter Program.

Eligible start-ups and developers can sign up to receive a set of Google patents, along with access to the company's non-organic patent portfolio.

"The world of patents can be very confusing, cumbersome and often distracting for start-ups," Google said in an announcement.

The first time many new companies even hear the word "patent" is when they're being attacked by trolls, or once a prospective investor asks how they protect their ideas.

"These problems are the impetus behind the Patent Starter Program," Google said.

Google will hand out two free patents to all participants. It first identifies a set of three to five options, based on the company's business focus, then allows the start-up/developer to choose their pair.

Don't expect a do-over, though, if you're not happy with the selected patents; due to the expected volume of interest, the company will not revisit its patent selection list with individual users.

Access to Google's patent portfolio is included, allowing folks to search non-organic archives at no cost, for assets Google may be willing to sell. Participants also must join the LOT Network, a patent licensing group aimed at helping Silicon Valley fight patent trolls.

Those eager to have a stab at some of Google's patents should act fast: The company is only accepting the first 50 eligible start-ups and developers. The program is only open to folks with 2014 revenues between $500,000 and $20 million.

Other conditions require all patents obtained through the program to be used only defensively, meaning the documents could be useful if you are sued or your products are accused of infringement. You can not, however, use Google's patents to sue someone else.

Additionally, participants must stay in the Patent Starter and LOT programs for a minimum of two years from the date of acceptance. If you choose to exit before that deadline, your two patent families will revert back to Google.

"At Google, we not only remember our roots, but we respect the start-up culture: the great ideas, the passion and the long hours that develop them, and the resulting innovation and technology that ends up benefiting the whole world," the company said.

An 18-page program agreement is available on Google's website, and the sign-up form can be filled out and submitted online. The Web titan encourages everyone to read the fine print, and even speak with an attorney, before applying.

Google is no stranger to patent trolls: Last year it entered into separate long-term patent cross-licensing agreements with Cisco and Verizon, allowing each organization a license to the other's portfolio. The move serves as a pre-emptive strike against patent privateering.

Just last week, a new report indicated that the number of lawsuits filed by patent trolls, or non-practicing entities, reached about 2,075 in the first half of this year. Roughly 68 percent of those were filed by folks who own patents for things they have no actual plans to use or develop.