AllThingsD: Microsoft will get royalties for every Samsung Android device

[kjk]

http://allthingsd.com/20110928/micro...ice-they-sell/

“Together with the license agreement signed last year with HTC, today’s agreement with Samsung means that the top two Android handset manufacturers in the United States have now acquired licenses to Microsoft’s patent portfolio,” Microsoft general counsel Brad Smith and top IP lawyer Horacio Gutierrez said in a blog post. “These two companies together accounted for more than half of all Android phones sold in the U.S. over the past year.”

Motorola and Barnes and Noble are next.

[din155]

So, MS can now just sit back and earn from royalties. Was wondering how much will they get from each device

[avariel]

Microsoft makes more off Android than they do off WP7.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by din155

So, MS can now just sit back and earn from royalties. Was wondering how much will they get from each device

According to Reuters back in July, MS was looking for $15/phone-which seems pretty incredible. Analysts believe HTC is paying $5/phone to MS for licensing.

Nice work if you can get it

[Shaggy]

Are these legitimate patents, or is MS just "patent trolling" Android device manufacturers?

[=X=]

I think we need a special forum for law suits

Let's call it "Suit du Jour"

[kjk]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

Are these legitimate patents, or is MS just "patent trolling" Android device manufacturers?

HTC, Samsung, Acer, Viewsonic, Onkyo, Velocity Micro, General Dynamics Itronix and Wistron all seem to think its not worth fighting about the legitimacy of the patents.

Motorola and B&N apparently still do.

[=X=]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

Are these legitimate patents, or is MS just "patent trolling" Android device manufacturers?

Yes it's patent trolling but more of MS strategy. MS claims Android is not free and they are working hard to make that a reality.

My guess is that they are trying hard to make Android as expensive as licensing MS WP 7/8($15). It would make it easy monetary wise to adopt MS as an OS of choice. Also most likely used as a bargaining chip. Reduce the licensing fees of Android if they agree to develop products for Windows.


Now that Google bought Moto, I seriously doubt you will see Moto conceed to MS.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by =X=

Also most likely used as a bargaining chip. Reduce the licensing fees of Android if they agree to develop products for Windows.

Sounds like that worked for Samsung and HTC.

“Microsoft and Samsung see the opportunity for dramatic growth in Windows Phones and we’re investing to make that a reality,” Windows Phone unit president Andy Lees said in a statement.