Google is almost out with its Groupon clone. Just in time for the first patent infringement lawsuit.
Google Offers, essentially a Groupon-type website in Google colors, has been announced as beta service in Portland, Oregon, last Thursday. A spokeswoman told AdAge that a marketing campaign inviting of Portlanders to sign up for Offers has been launched. The company said that Offers has not been launched yet. If AdAge’s information is correct, then it appears that Google is simply testing the waters with limited retail sign ups and rather limited customer outreach.
Even if Offers isn’t available yet, it is already good enough to be sued. Walker Digital, the company behind Priceline.com, filed a patent complaint against Google and its Offers service. Walker Digital wants unspecified damages as well as a permanent injunction. Since Offers isn’t out yet, I am wondering what kind of damages Walker Digital is expecting?
According to PaidContent, 15 similar lawsuits have been filed against Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon, Ebay and Apple. It appears that the U.S. patent system is working at least for some companies.
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