Here's how Pace 'splained it in its release/statement:

"Pace can confirm that the potential acquisition of Google’s Motorola Home business would

be classified as a “reverse takeover” under the UK Listing Rules given its size relative to

Pace."  JB

Isn't a reverse takeover when an unlisted company swaps equity for a public company. But maybe there's a big company/smaller company angle to this too?

Bloomberg's reporting that Arris and Pace have put in the "most compelling" bids for the Moto Home business, and it's unlikely that a private equity bidder would emerge as the winner.  The other interesting wrinkle is that Google might retain some equity and the Moto Home patents.  I haven't heard about the equity piece, but the notion of having Google retain some or all of that IP has come up in my talks.

Not much of an impact on Arris shares today.. .they're up 8 cents (0.56%) to $14.37 each at last check (1:14pm ET). And Arris is not commenting on the latest bidding scuttlebutt. JB

As @techwzrd pointed out on the boards, TiVo and Pace are already partners, with Pace among the licencees for Pace's porting kit for gateways and boxes that will tie Pace hardware with TiVo's software/UI.  Will have to find out if that scenario could impact the pending litigation between Motorola and TiVo or if this still means Google would do well to get that settled before it can get a deal together. JB