After 4 Recent Successful Patent Deals – Microsoft Focuses on Samsung

Yesterday we detailed how Microsoft is after patent licensing for every Android and Chrome manufacturer. Recently they have successfully signed four Android manufacturers to licensing agreements for the use of Android. Now Microsoft sets it’s eyes on the biggest Android manufacturer of them all… Samsung.

Reuter reports that Microsoft is looking for $15 per Android handset that Samsung produces. Why? Because Microsoft feels that Google’s popular mobile OS infringes on certain Microsoft patents. Samsung would most likely like to lower that number to atleast $10  in exchange for a “deeper alliance with Microsoft for the U.S. company’s Windows platform.” 

If this trend continues I believe you will see manufacturers thinking twice about developing Android devices. While Google touts their OS as free for manufacturers to build upon. These kind of patent deals add a significant cost to production. Also the fact that lawsuits are being drawn up by Microsoft for not complying  & Apple suing to put a stop to them all together. It really puts a huge price tag on creating Android devices.

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.

Source: Reuters