This. I could easily see Microsoft Research existing primarily as a vehicle for patent licensing. I don't know if it would be self-funding but it would certai

This. I could easily see Microsoft Research existing primarily as a vehicle for patent licensing. I don't know if it would be self-funding but it would certainly offset the research costs. Almost seems like a business method patent idea: using a research department for the sole purpose of preventing competitors from implementing certain ideas. It would be a creative use for billions of dollars of cash that could only be matched by similarly sized companies.