That is, on Microsoft's side, it is a very rational move, especially as there
are very definite short-term benefits:
1) Microsoft execs don't have to think about the issue anymore
2) Vringo is now funded, so Google execs DO have to waste their time on it.
3) Google doesn't seem to be objecting to the arrangement right now.
However, there is a significant risk in the long term:
4) Google, on winning, could make Microsoft liable. [They need to show the
settlement was not credible if the parties were truly adversarial, possibly by
doing discovery on the communications]
5) Further reputational damage from 4. Not that Microsoft has much of a good
reputation to defend anymore, judging by Windows 8 and Windows phone sales. And
the serious tech people have always hated them for the constant stream of
vulnerabilities and semi-working patches, and, of course, for what they did to
Novell.
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