High profile cases between industry titans seem to be accelerating, especially in the smartphone space. ...As smartphones deliver more types of functionality and to connect to more things, more patents apply. And the competitive landscape is changing. Amazon is coming out with a smartphone; Microsoft and Google are introducing tablets. More litigation is coming, part of which will be hot air.

...At the present time, licensing, cross-licensing and litigation are all used liberally but the mix may shift over time. In the short term, there will likely be more litigation because as smartphones become more complex, more stakeholders become involved. At some point, the law of diminishing returns will kick in, inspiring more licensing and cross-licensing outside of patent litigation.

...Fiercely competitive companies are pursuing patents with a vengeance because they are a source of revenue and bargaining chips that can be used in licensing negotiations. Patents increase the value of companies and the value of products. They are used as shields and swords on a battlefield that appears to be getting bloodier by the day. Yet, while battles are “won” the spoils of war are often questionable.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2016236&forum_id=2#21272190)