Android: Samsung pays royalties to Microsoft

Android: Samsung pays royalties to Microsoft

The South Korean electronics giant Samsung will pay for its future smartphones and tablets with the Android operating system licensing fees to Microsoft. Both companies have agreed to a license agreement, Microsoft said on Wednesday in Redmond (Wash.) with. In order for the licensee to grant each other access to their patent portfolios. In addition, Samsung has committed to pay for any Android device a license fee to Microsoft. To the amount of the fee and other details made the company no information.

Samsung and the Taiwanese manufacturer HTC, who had signed a similar licensing agreement last year and reportedly pays $ 5 per unit of Microsoft, now the two largest manufacturers Android Android have a license requirement for recognition. Previously, manufacturers such as Acer and Viewsonic, and Yamaha, General Dynamics Itronix and Velocity Micro a license agreement entered into for their Android devices. Now really lacks only Motorola Mobility, the Microsoft lawyer Brad Smith and Horacio Gutierrez noted in a blog entry.

Motorola Mobility is now one of Google: The search giant had taken over the traditional manufacturer to its Android operating system to strengthen the back, which is under attack from competitors with patent lawsuits. Whether Motorola large patent portfolio is suitable as a hedge to be seen first. Samsung did not seem to bet and agreed better with Microsoft. The Koreans also rely not exclusively on Android, but will also work with Microsoft in the development and marketing of Windows to work phone.

So, Samsung has also released the backs for the patent war with Apple. The iPhone maker has sued the Koreans the same several times and in Germany, among others, sought a ban on Samsung's Galaxy Tab. The process should go just before Christmas to the next round. Apple accuses Samsung to have based the design of the tablet too much on the iPad. The Koreans retaliated with a patent lawsuit, among other things] and try to prevent the imminent launch of the iPhone to 5 in South Korea.