http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904233404576457842513189166.html?KEYWORDS=RIM

If Google is seriously talking about acquiring InterDigital, then all I can say is WOW.

InterDigital is a significant player in the telecom technology intellectual property business. In other words, InterDigital ain’t no slouch. An acquisition will definitely beef up Google’s defenses in the wireless telecom and general telecommunications space.

InterDigital has been a player for years. For those who have been in the telecom space for more than 20 years, you will likely remember the mention of InterDigital usually stirred one emotion: dread. InterDigital was and still is an intellectual property steam roller. Getting in its way usually meant a lot of lawyers, a lot of money spent, and InterDigital usually winning.

Once Google acquires a patent house like InterDigital it will need to use those patents both offensively and defensively. Google will need to hire telecom engineers with landline and wireless experience; especially if it plans on developing additional intellectual property.  Google will need to understand that the telecom business is not only about software but also about signaling and interconnection.