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Microsoft Now Collects Royalties From Over Half of All Android Devices

Posted by Unknown on from the where-can-i-get-me-some-patents dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Microsoft has inked a deal with Compal Electronics, which pumps out gadgets that run Android and Chrome OS, for an undisclosed sum." Microsoft has an explanatory weblog post; with this deal over half of all Android devices are licensing patents from Microsoft. Notably refusing to cooperate and instead opting for the court battle route are Motorola and Barnes and Noble.

6 of 241 comments (clear)

  1. Ars' Article on Royalties by WolfgangPG · · Score: 5, Informative

    Fairly good article explaing the Royalties: http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2011/10/microsoft-collects-license-fees-on-50-of-android-devices-tells-google-to-wake-up.ars

    Quote:"Microsoft didn’t specifically reference that post, but today said “For those who continue to protest that the smartphone patent thicket is too difficult to navigate, it’s past time to wake up.” Microsoft doesn’t just collect money from other companies, it also pays out plenty to protect itself, Microsoft’s legal team notes.

    “Over the past decade we’ve spent roughly $4.5 billion to license in patents from other companies,” Microsoft said. “These have given us the opportunity to build on the innovations of others in a responsible manner that respects their IP rights. Equally important, we've stood by our customers and partners with countless agreements that contain the strongest patent indemnification provisions in our industry. These ensure that if our software infringes someone else's patents, we'll address the problem rather than leave it to others.” /endquote

  2. Re:Like the Novell agreement or beneficial to MS? by RazzleFrog · · Score: 5, Informative

    What are you talking about? Windows 7 is by far the best OS Microsoft has put out and, in my opinion, far easier to use than any other desktop OS (I feel like Apple's OS has stagnated and KDE and GNOME are just poor man's copycats). The swtich from XP to 7 is an easy choice for any company since it is more secure, more stable, and more user-friendly.

  3. Re:Android the free OS. by BasilBrush · · Score: 4, Informative

    If companies that use it have to pay for licences it's not free in either sense.

    And it's not about hardware, it's about software. It's about Android.
    http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/070611-microsoft-android.html

  4. Re:Android the free OS. by BasilBrush · · Score: 3, Informative

    Microsoft's patents are on the devices, not the Android OS.

    Wrong.
    http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/070611-microsoft-android.html

    Basil, take it from me, it's always best to wait and think before hitting Submit.

    Funnily enough that would be my advice to you Ratzo. Do you feel stupid now?

  5. Sony Ericsson is “patent safe” accordi by ernstp · · Score: 3, Informative

    Also not paying is Sony Ericsson:

    http://www.xperiablog.net/2011/10/04/sony-ericsson-is-%E2%80%9Cpatent-safe%E2%80%9D-according-to-ceo/

  6. Re:This patent was rejected, right? by Gadget_Guy · · Score: 4, Informative

    You are correct that FAT is not covered by patents, but VFAT is. It is the use of the long filename addition to FAT that Microsoft licences.