Google buys communications technology patents from Foxconn

Foxconn recently sold communications technology related technology to Google, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. The number of patents sold and specific names of them were not provided by the news outlet, though Google has long been bolstering its patent portfolio in an effort to defend Android, help fight for partners who use the operating system. Foxconn reportedly has been granted than 60,000 patents as it continues research and development on even more projects. 

Foxconn, which assembles gadgets for companies such as Apple Inc.,AAPL +0.73% said it has sold a number of its communications technology patents to Google Inc. GOOG -1.71% for an undisclosed sum. Taiwan-based Foxconn, officially known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co.2317.TW -1.81% , made a name for itself in contract manufacturing by making Apple’s iPhones and Sony’s PlayStation game consoles. But few know the electronics manufacturer has been developing new technologies and has a sizable patent portfolio. In a statement, the company said it has applied for 128,400 patents and has been granted more than 64,300 patents world-wide. In the highly competitive technology industry, companies are challenging each other to set industry standards, which has led to a few patent cases.