There are lawsuits everywhere in the Android world. And then there are agreements too. Well, so far, it seems like Microsoft have been the most successful inking patent agreement with Android manufacturers.
Actually, Microsoft just reached an agreement with Acer and Viewsonic regarding patent licensing for their Android smartphones and tablets. The details of the agreement have not been disclosed but we can assumed that they should be similar to the one signed earlier this year with HTC. In spring this year, HTC and Microsoft reached an agreement that HTC will pay Microsoft $5 per Android device it sells. Rumors are that HTC also agreed to produce more Windows based mobile phones.
Here’s a statement from Microsoft deputy general counsel Horacio Gutierrez regarding the recent agreements,
This agreement is an example of how industry leaders can reach commercially reasonable arrangements that address intellectual property.
In the end, Microsoft is still making quite a lot of money with Android. I mean, if all Android manufacturers have to pay a royalty to Microsoft for all Android devices they sell, Microsoft will have it pretty well. Can I say better than Google itself with respect to Android?
