Patents at the Center of Google's Nest Acquisition

Google paid $3.2B for Nest Labs earlier this week in a move that will bring several former Apple developers to the company. A major factor driving the deal may have in fact been Nest's portfolio of patents focused on home automation and integrated social networking. In total Nest, which was founded in 2010, has been granted 40 patents, has acquired 60, and has filed for more than 200 more. Also, after cutting a deal with patent aggregator Intellectual Ventures last September, the company has access to over 40,000 patents for defensive purposes, further strengthening its position.