Patent wars ending?

Stuff reports:

Apple and Google’s Motorola Mobility unit have agreed to settle all patent litigation between them over smartphones, ending one of the highest-profile lawsuits in technology.

In a joint statement on Friday, the companies said the settlement does not include a cross license to their respective patents.

“Apple and Google have also agreed to work together in some areas of patent reform,” the statement said.

This is a very welcome step. In certain areas patents have gone from protecting innovation to harming innovation.