The patent portfolios of major companies can be worth billions of dollars. There are many factors that drive this value, such as the area of the technology, the quality of the patents – and the similarity with other patent portfolios.
The similarity between a patent portfolio and others in the same field can be an important predictor of its value
– See more at: http://www.ambercite.com/index.php/amberblog/entry/how-similar-are-microsoft-patents-to-those-belonging-to-apple-and-google#sthash.6Y3V5fne.dpuf