Google-Motorola deal calls for $2.5 billion reverse break-up fee, says report

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110817/03120415557/court-... "Court Ruling Opens The Door To Rejecting Many Software Patents As Being Mere 'Mental Processes' "

This is huge, btw. As techdirt puts it: "The court further clarifies the ability to reject bogus software patents by dismantling the usual attempts to make a software patent seem legit by saying it happens "on a computer." Basically, it finds that taking a "mental process" or abstract idea and merely having it happen on a computer is not patentable. "

It's great to see the Bilski ruling followed up to natural conclusion as goes software patents.

This sort of ruling has to hold up. Interesting timing for Google's buyout, but they do have the cash to spare.

Though in some ways this sort of ruling was mostly a question of when not if, I wonder how much closer we are now to a Linux explosion. This patent uncertainty has been an important tool in the assault this past decade to keep Linux at bay.