Microsoft’s more than $1 billion acquisition of AOL’s patent portfolio earlier this month didn’t come without some competition. And now we’re learning who also was in the ring. Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, reports that Facebook was considering purchasing the more than 800 patents, but its bid was too low.
However, the report noted that Facebook still might be interested in purchasing the patents that Microsoft intends to sell from the AOL portfolio. Microsoft holds a small equity stake in Facebook, and the two companies are partners on the advertising front.
Yahoo sued Facebook earlier this year for patent infringement related to advertising services and other technologies, and the company noted the potential consequences of adverse impact from a possible loss of that litigation.
Interestingly, Microsoft announced the patent deal on the same day that Facebook unveiled its acquisition of Instagram for $1 billion.
Related: A tale of two acquisitions: A few thoughts on the $1 billion bets by Microsoft and Facebook
