Robots from Gurgaon-based GreyOrange

If they want to come to the US at some point, Kiva's patent portfolio will be a big hurdle to clear: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=H...

I thought Amazon had the concept of picking-up shelves and moving them about locked-up due to Kiva patents. Is that not true?

Ah the free market at work.

Are these patents enforceable in India? Seems like the US patent system might really hinder US tech development outside of Amazon here.

Generally you have to get a patent on a country basis though there are some treaties that make it easier to do in a bunch of countries (perhaps EU?)

patents can be bypassed needs R&D money and good patent lawyers.

alternatively, if it can be argued as essential patent for warehousing industry, compulsory licensing or royalty can be negotiated.

but both would take couple of years. lets wait and watch this space an see how it plays out

I wonder what Bezos and Kiva/Amazon Robotics think about all this. :-)