Nortel

Patents today are used to bludgeon competition. This is why Microsoft and Apple paid billions to strip patents from Nortel's carcass: new arrows in their "beat Google" quiver.

Former telecom giant Nortel Networks may be in bankruptcy, but the company has some intellectual patents that key technology players such as Apple and Google may engage in fierce bidding over.

A published report says Nortel is shopping around its remaining patent portfolio, but the company won't confirm the rumor, saying only that it is trying to "maximize the potential" of them.

The full impact of Nortel’s bankrupcy may not be measured just yet. Yet the insutry goes on. Avaya in particular is faced with the daunting task of keeping its own customers happy but also transitioning its newly acquired Nortel base. Here’s a look at the stories around this major shift.

This year saw the slow, painful dismantling of Nortel. Its gradual exit from the tech scene played out the entire year, as each month brought news of more layoffs, markdowns or sell-offs.

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson has completed the final step in acquiring Nortel Networks Corp.'s carrier wireless assets for US$1.13 billion and has hired more workers than it originally promised to in Canada.

Former Nortel CEO Mike Zafirovski is seeking more that $12 million from the bankrupt company, according to a filing in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

Ciena is in advanced discussions to acquire Nortel's Metro Ethernet Networks (MEN) business unit, both companies confirmed Monday.

Users should chart the progress of Avaya's purchase of Nortel's enterprise assets carefully, so that they are spared any unpleasant product integration or rationalization surprises.

Verizon is opposed to the sale of Nortel's enterprise business to Avaya because the carrier fears its support contracts will end and cut off key customers.

Nortel has laid off senior staff in the UK who were responsible for the company’s unified communications partnership with Microsoft, according to sources.