Microsoft Signs Another Patent Deal With a Android Manufacturer (That’s 4 in 9 Days)
July 5, 2011 No CommentsMicrosoft announced today that it has signed a patent deal with the manufacturing company Wistron. That makes 4 patent deals in nine days. Recently Microsoft also made similar deals with General Dynamics Itronix, Velocity Micro and Onkyo. Just late last year Microsoft also made a deal with HTC that brings home a reportedly $5 per Android device that HTC sells. Which led also to our belief that Microsoft is currently making more money off of Android than Windows Phone.
[smartads]
One of the biggest reasons manufacturers love Android is because it is “free”. Microsoft disagrees with that and late last year Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer noted that “Android has a patent fee. It’s not like Android’s free,”. In any case Microsoft is using their extensive patent portfolio to at least slow down the growth of Google’s popular Android OS.
Microsoft has already sued the likes of Barnes & Nobles and Motorola over the use of Android. They are also trying to reel in Asus and Acer for patent deals of their own. It is interesting to see Google do nothing about their manufacturers getting sued and having to sign patent deals with Microsoft. Only time will tell if this strategy puts a dent into Androids marketshare.
We can definetly call it a win for Microsoft and Windos Phone for now.
Press Release:
REDMOND, Wash., and TAIPEI, Taiwan — July 5, 2011 — Microsoft Corp. and Wistron Corp. have executed a patent agreement that provides broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for Wistron’s tablets, mobile phones, e-readers and other consumer devices running the Android or Chrome platform. Although the contents of the agreement have not been disclosed, the parties indicate that Microsoft will receive royalties from Wistron under the agreement.
“We are pleased that Wistron is taking advantage of our industrywide licensing program, established to help companies address Android’s IP issues,” said Horacio Gutierrez, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel of Intellectual Property and Licensing at Microsoft.
Microsoft’s Commitment to Licensing Intellectual Property
The patent agreement is another example of the important role intellectual property (IP) plays in ensuring a healthy and vibrant IT ecosystem. Since Microsoft launched its IP licensing program in December 2003, the company has entered into more than 700 licensing agreements and continues to develop programs that make it possible for customers, partners and competitors to access its IP portfolio. The program was developed to open access to Microsoft’s significant R&D investments and its growing, broad patent and IP portfolio.
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