MAM
Google acquires DeepMind; also inks patent deal with Samsung
MUMBAI: The media was abuzz with Google acquiring the artificial intelligence start-up DeepMind for $400 million on Monday. However, today, what followed was the announcement of a patent alliance between the internet giant’s Google and Samsung. The alliance will cover a broad range of technologies and business areas and will take care of the companies’ existing patents and also those filed in the next ten years.
“We’re pleased to enter into a cross-license with our partner Samsung,” said Google Deputy General Counsel for Patents Allen Lo in a statement. “By working together on agreements like this, companies can reduce the potential for litigation and focus instead on innovation.”
The companies haven’t disclosed the terms of the agreement but with this agreement, the two companies gain access to each other’s industry-leading patent portfolios, paving the way for deeper collaboration on research and development of current and future products and technologies.
“This agreement with Google is highly significant for the technology industry,” said Head of Samsung’s Intellectual Property Center Dr. Seungho Ahn. “Samsung and Google are showing the rest of the industry that there is more to gain from cooperating than engaging in unnecessary patent disputes.”
As far as the DeepMind acquisition is concerned, the start-up has the best techniques from machine learning and systems neuroscience to build powerful general-purpose learning algorithms.
MAM
Dish TV shareholders approve three independent directors
99.49 per cent vote of confidence strengthens board as company expands into connected TV, e-commerce and OTT.
MUMBAI: Dish TV has just been served a near-perfect vote of confidence and the shareholders have dished it out in style. Shareholders of the DTH operator have approved the appointment of three new Independent Directors with an overwhelming 99.49 per cent approval. The three appointees are Mr Arun Kumar Kapoor, Ms Heena Naishadh Bhatt and Mr Ashok Anant Paranjpe.
The strong mandate reflects continued investor faith in the company’s strategy, disciplined execution and long-term value creation. It comes as Dish TV focuses on stabilising its core DTH business while actively scaling new verticals connected TV platform VZY, B2B e-commerce ShopZop, and OTT service Watcho to build a more diversified and resilient growth trajectory.
Dish TV India Limited, CEO & executive director Manoj Dhobhal said, “We are encouraged by the shareholders’ approval of the appointment of the Independent Directors and sincerely thank them for their continued trust and confidence. The Board is already benefiting from the Directors’ collective experience, which will further sharpen strategic focus and support disciplined execution.”
With a fresh, strengthened board in place, Dish TV is well positioned to navigate the evolving media landscape. In a sector where every percentage point matters, a 99.49 per cent thumbs-up is the kind of ringing endorsement that suggests the company’s recipe for the future is already tasting right.
