A patent agreement exists between Microsoft and HTC described as "… long-standing business relationship with Microsoft".  The idea is this could be seen as a veiled threat to other handset manufacturers of the possibility of a sue by Microsoft for patent infringement – if they do not have a similar agreement in place.

Press Release:  REDMOND, Wash. — April 27, 2010 —Microsoft Corp. and HTC Corp. have signed a patent agreement that provides broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for HTC’s mobile phones running the Android mobile platform. Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will receive royalties from HTC.

How does Microsoft make money from google's software? Android is open source – Microsoft raised fears aspects of Linux may infringe on its patents.

Microsoft's deputy counsel Horacio Gutierrez said the company was in talks with other "device manufacturers to address our concerns relative to the Android mobile platform".

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 28th, 2010 at 12:56 and is filed under Android, google, HTC, Microsoft, News, Social Media. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.