Phones

Great, Now Microsoft is Suing Motorola

Microsoft has announced that it's suing Motorola for making Android phones that violate Microsoft patents. I've lost track of all the phone-related suits out there, but off the top of my head: Apple is suing Nokia, Nokia is suing Apple. Apple is suing HTC, HTC is suing Apple. and Oracle is suing Google. Oh, and Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen is suing...well, pretty much everyone except Microsoft, but I'm not sure if any of the patents in question relate to phones.

Microsoft VP Horacio Gutierrez has a blog post up in which he says:

Our action today merely seeks to ensure respect for our intellectual property rights infringed by Android devices; and judging by the recent actions by Apple and Oracle, we are not alone in this respect.

I dunno-I'm in favor of intellectual property, but I'd like someone (ideally someone who isn't in the process of suing anyone else) to explain how the current patent system and its impact on the technology industry helps the industry, consumers, or the country. Is it possible to root against everyone involved?

Also, can someone explain to me how this suit will help Microsoft become relevant again in the phone business, or why it's a better investment of time and money than pouring as much effort as possible into Windows Phone 7?