Apple, Nokia, Qualcomm open to InterDigital buy

Several companies are still in the running to buy InterDigital and counter Google's acquisition of Motorola. Sources revealed Wednesday that Apple, Nokia, Qualcomm, and others were considering bids. Google was still seen as in the running by Reuters' informant despite the Motorola takeover, although it was no longer apparent if it would commit.

None of the involved parties directly commented. InterDigital had previously admitted that it was exploring selling itself off. While the company doesn't have any financial crises to prompt a deal, it understood in an earlier statement that it could fetch a high price and didn't want to turn down the opportunity.

InterDigital is best known for its attempts to profit on patents against much of the mobile industry. Nokia could have one of the strongest incentives as it has had to fend off patent disputes from InterDigital in the past, but many companies have been subject in the past.

Apple could be a frontrunner simply through its desire to get the upper hand in patents and both attack Android competitors as well as defend itself against either counterclaims or fresh lawsuits. Qualcomm, as the manufacturer of the Snapdragon processor used virtually everywhere in the mobile space as well as many cellular chipsets, may be keen to defend against rival chip designers or to become a neutral ground between Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Nokia, all of whom support or use its chips.

By Electronista Staff