Yahoo is hoping to sell most of its technology patents as part of a purge that also could culminate in the sale of its internet operations.
More than 3,000 patents that have already been issued or are under approval review are on the auction block.
The company says it hasn't set a minimum bid for the patent portfolio that it calls "Excalibur". Analysts have estimated that Yahoo Inc's patents are worth more than $US1 billion ($A1.34 billion).
Yahoo says it intends to retain more than 2,000 other patents that have been issued or awaiting approval in the US and abroad.
The patent auction comes at the same time that Yahoo is weighing offers for internet operations that include its email service and digital sports, finance and news sections.
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