Yahoo battles for licensing fees as it launches patent war with Facebook
THE ever-growing string of patent lawsuits between technology firms has branched out to social media companies as Yahoo and Facebook scrap over intellectual property.
Waning search site Yahoo has asserted claims on a variety of mechanisms used by Facebook, including the way it operates its adverts, privacy controls, news feed and messaging service.
The list features between 10 and 20 patents which Yahoo claims it owns.
Yahoo has not disclosed how much it expects Facebook to fork out in licensing fees, but has indicated it would be prepared to take the social network to court.
“Yahoo has a responsibility to its shareholders, employees and other stakeholders to protect its intellectual property,” the company said.
These claims come just weeks after Facebook announced it is looking to raise $5bn from a flotation later this year – although some analysts think the firm could aim higher, with secondary trading valuing the company at more than $100bn.
Technology giants, particularly in the mobile phone sector, are in an ongoing spat over patents.
Apple, Google, Samsung and Motorola – in various combinations – are embroiled in a string of litigations.
Meanwhile, Facebook announced it could team up directly with mobile operators on payments, restoring some of the revenue and influence they have lost in recent years to market hoggers Apple and Google.