With a sale or split of Yahoo, does Microsoft already own the important parts?

With a possible breakup or full blown sale of Yahoo, certain questions come up. Besides the company, the more interesting and valuable piece may be their patents.  Eric Jackson at Forbes has figured out that the search company has over 1,000 patents related to areas like paid search advertising, display advertising, and social networking. Jackson believes that someone like Google if able to some how buy baring SEC approval could potentially stop or delay Facebook from going public some time next year as planned. But there is a catch.

Micrsoft may already either own those patents or own a portion of them. If this is the case, Facebook who already has deal with Microsoft could just add to its deal and not have to worry about Google or another company delaying or forcing their hands in heavy royalties when it comes to ads on searches. From the SEC filing

Microsoft will also have an option to obtain from Yahoo! a worldwide, non-exclusive license under Yahoo!’s patents for Microsoft to provide online services in the Field of Use both with Microsoft’s owned and operated websites and to third parties (“Patent License”). The option will expire upon the earlier of July 29, 2011 and the date six (6) months following the Commencement Date. Should Microsoft exercise its option to obtain the Patent License, Microsoft will pay for such Patent License at a specified discount from fair market value. Such Patent License will also terminate upon termination of the Search Agreement.

Microsoft has already mentioned their interest in buying Yahoo, as it was rumored the Google was also. But with these patents could we see another deal where companies team up together to out bid Google, say a Microsoft, Facebook, and Apple joint bid?

Source: Business Insider