Google has filed a patent for a mobile phone payment system (patent is here). Naturally this is being linked to the rumored Google Phone, but I think it’s more likely to be platform independent. Payment systems do not benefit from exclusivity. TechCrunch has a piece on the patent with some images, and Times Online has a more detailed piece. From what I’ve seen I’m not sure the patent would hold up in court since it’s remarkably similar to other mobile payment methods that have launched in the past…although I’m sure it’s more about Google protecting a planned business model than trying to stop other people offering payment services. Google launched a WAP version of its Checkout service back in June.