Google (GOOG) is always willing to help out its Android manufacturing partners, but only if they’re getting sued over patents related to Android. Unnamed sources have told CNET that Google is largely holding its fire in the current Samsung-Apple trial because “the parties are fighting over Samsung’s (005930) essential wireless patents and Apple’s (AAPL) design and feature patents.” Instead, CNET says that Google is gearing up for fights between Samsung and Apple over Android’s universal search functionality, and is still trying to figure out how its newly-acquired Motorola patents can defend Android from Apple and Microsoft (MSFT).
