How is Google open? They are very public about things, beta this alpha that but much of Googles software is closed.
You must not read any of their comments about Android.
Yes. But, if they go for the locked ecosystem that seem to become so popular these days, they can try and solve the problem at the source.
But Google is open. Why would they go from an open playing field to a locked down, curated, one?
Well, it's not *just* patents. Motorola also had a special Java license. That might well be nice insurance against Oracle. (We don't really know, because the details of the license aren't public. Which, itself, is interesting.)
That really isn't interesting. Why would a company make their business dealings public? Especially if no everyone gets the same deal? If Motorola's license is transferrable (which many software licenses are not) then I would expect to see Oracle try to block the sale, or work to revoke Motorola's Java license (that is IF the license would legalize any "patent violations" that may exist in Android).
Make it right before you make it faster.