AOL is preparing to sell its patents.

Patents seem to have become no less liquid and sought-after assets than domain names or online startups. Given the huge number of patent disputes involving companies operating in various sectors of the IT industry, a patent portfolio represents a lucrative opportunity.

Recently, it became known that AOL, together with the Evercore Partners fund, is looking for buyers for more than 800 patents.

Experts estimate the value of AOL's patent portfolio at $1 billion. The sale of patents could be a continuation of the company's strategy to reduce the technology component of its business and increase revenue from advertising and content projects.

Evercore Partners says it is "concerned that the company remains highly insular and unresponsive to value-enhancing initiatives, instead focusing solely on pursuing its status quo."

Among the possible buyers of AOL projects, experts name Microsoft or Google, especially the latter, since AOL's patents include those that can be used in the mobile industry.