This article is more than 1 year old

Moto beat Google up by a third in Googorola haggling

Chocolateers unable to contain their lust

Google was so eager to land Motorola Mobility, it raised its offer by 33 per cent over two weeks of negotiations, according to a regulatory filing.

The Chocolate Factory first offered $30 per share to bag the hardware firm's patents, but Motorola, on the advice of their financial guys, were having none of it - and suggested instead that Google should give them $43.50 per share.

Google suggested $37 but got knocked back with a counter offer of $40.50. The sparring companies eventually agreed on $40 per share, which was about 60 per cent more than Motorola's closing share price on the last trading day close before the deal was struck. The agreed price valued Motorola Mobility at $12.5bn.

Google is looking to form Googorola after performing due diligence and gaining regulatory approval for the merger. While the acquisition of Motorola's patents has been an obvious benefit to the deal, observers are somewhat divided on whether or not Google wants to start making its own smartphones.

Suggestions after the deal was announced that Google might pull the rug from under its many Android partners by giving itself the best phones caused jitters in the Androidosphere. However, the behemoth moved swiftly to quell any fears, insisting that the platform would stay open and the move was all about "protecting and supporting the Android ecosystem".

And, just lately, that seems to be the case, with Google giving a friendly helping hand to HTC in the shape of nine patents to sue Apple with. ®

More about

TIP US OFF

Send us news


Other stories you might like