Google is taking first steps to protect its developers from potentially frivolous patent infringement lawsuits affecting the Android platform.

Wired reports that Google has filed a request with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to reexamine patents held by Lodsys and determine whether or not the patents should be invalidated. Google believes the patents, which Lodsys currently uses in 11 different lawsuits against app developers “should never have been issued.”

Google has been criticized as it remained relatively silent in the Lodsys drama as Apple has aggressively responded to the suits against iOS app developers. The IP firm sent cease and desist letters to app developers beginning in May and demanded damages and license fees for the use of its patented idea of in-app purchases. Among the Lodsys targets are Atari, Square Enix and Electronic Arts. Both Google and Apple have licenses to Lodsys’ patents, but the IP firm claims that app developers are not covered by the license.

SOURCE via Wired