Reuters reports that Microsoft has expressed concern over the sale of the patent portfolio owned by bankrupt former infrastructure giant Nortel Networks. The computing giant has asked the courts to protect its rights under a 2006 deal with Nortel, which gives it “worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free” access to the intellectual property. It is believed that under the current terms of a sale, the successful bidder would be able to terminate this agreement – an action which could clearly prove costly to Microsoft. Reuters also reports that HP, Nokia and Motorola have also filed objections about the terms of the process, without detailing their objections.

TechCrunch notes that Microsoft had not participated in the sale process as a bidder, because of the rights it already holds on the patents. Google has been named as the “stalking horse” in the process, and has widely been tipped as the potential buyer, although numerous other companies are also believed to be eyeing the portfolio – including Apple, Ericsson, RIM, and a patent acquisition firm which represents companies such as Sony, Cisco, Nokia and Samsung. It was previously reported that the US Department of Justice had begun an investigation into the sale, on competition grounds.