The technology world is in an arms race, and intellectual property is the weapon of choice. Microsoft bought its way toward the front of the pack Monday when it announced a deal with AOL that will give it 800 of AOL’s patents and license to 300 more, all for just slightly north of $1 billion. In the world of mega tech litigation, patents are both offensive and defensive weapons, as companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Google regularly go to court to fight over who has rights to basic elements of the devices and software millions use every day.
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