Chinese authorities have cleared Google’s proposed acquisition of Motorola Mobility. The US$12.5 billion proposal has now received all necessary global regulatory clearance, having been approved by US and European regulators earlier this year.
The clearance comes after a lengthy investigation into the deal by the Chinese authorities. First proposed in August 2011, the deal is believed to be motivated by Motorola’s substantial patent portfolio – the firm holds around 17,000.
The patents will provide Google with a competitive edge against its main smartphone rival, Apple, and will also support the makers of Android devices by protecting them from patent infringement claims. The deal will also allow for the creation of a range of Motorola devices which support Android.
The Chinese authorities stipulate that in order for the deal to gain approval, Android’s status as a free and open platform must remain unchanged for a further five years. The deal is expected to close within the next week.
