Google's Patent Strategy: The Transformer Dilemma and the Rise of AI Competition
Published:Jan 14, 2026 17:27
•1 min read
•r/singularity
Analysis
This article highlights the strategic implications of patent enforcement in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Google's decision not to enforce its Transformer architecture patent, the cornerstone of modern neural networks, inadvertently fueled competitor innovation, illustrating a critical balance between protecting intellectual property and fostering ecosystem growth.
Key Takeaways
- •Google patented the Transformer architecture in 2019.
- •Google chose not to enforce the patent.
- •This decision allowed competitors like OpenAI to capitalize on the technology.
Reference
“Google in 2019 patented the Transformer architecture(the basis of modern neural networks), but did not enforce the patent, allowing competitors (like OpenAI) to build an entire industry worth trillions of dollars on it.”