Google's potential acquisition Motorola Mobility is all about the patents as the deal will provide the Internet search giant with more than 17,000 new patents that are currently in the hands of mobile devices maker.

As of the start of this year, Google had been granted fewer than 1,000 patents. But, the Motorola Mobility’s acquisition will add another 17,000, along with around 7,500 pending applications, to Google’s portfolio.

Of the Motorola Mobility’s more than 17,000 patents, a group of 18 may prove very helpful in Google’s to daunt ongoing lawsuits against its Android operating system.

Patent lawyer David Mixon, from Huntsville, Alabama-based Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, said, “Any patent owner, before they consider litigation is going to carefully evaluate their patents to withstand an attack.”

Dean Becker, CEO of Florida-based ICAP Patent Brokerage, said Google needs only a few patents to strengthen its legal position.

Google chief Larry Page also said that the acquisition of Libertyville, Illinois-based Motorola Mobility would bolster Google’s patent portfolio.

Android OS, which was introduced on handsets three years back to provide a boost to Google’s advertising business, accounted for 43.3 per cent share of the smartphone market last quarter.