anyone remember when AAPL claimed "we just wish to protect our innovation" (i think it was about the HTC suit). well, how does buying novel/nortel patents prot

anyone remember when AAPL claimed "we just wish to protect our innovation" (i think it was about the HTC suit). well, how does buying novel/nortel patents protect your innovation? how does joining with MSFT to keep patents away from GOOG protect your innovation?