Demonstrating why patents are important, Microsoft has announced that both Acer and ViewSonic have signed licensing agreements to enable them to continue to release Android and Chrome-based hardware.
The two companies join HTC, Wistron, Onkyo, Velocity Micro and General Dynamics Itronix as announced licensees of Microsoft's patents which cover the rival operating systems.
It's also thought that Samsung and LG are paying Microsoft although this hasn't been formally announced.
Microsoft is currently suing Motorola over Android patents.
Hedging its bets
Indeed, such is the volume of Android devices now being produced the per-unit cost Microsoft can extract from these deals (thought to be up to $5 in the case of HTC), it's currently generating more revenue from this than from its entire Windows Phone activities.
"We are pleased that Acer 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, releasing exactly the same statement with respect to ViewSonic.
"This agreement is an example of how industry leaders can reach commercially reasonable arrangements that address intellectual property."
[source: Microsoft: Acer/ViewSonic]
News
Contributing Editor
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon is Contributing Editor at PG.biz which means he acts like a slightly confused uncle who's forgotten where he's left his glasses. As well as letters and cameras, he likes imaginary numbers and legumes.
Related Articles
News
Apr 12th, 2024
Week in Views - Mobile gets blanked at the BAFTAs, Apple goes retro and Nintendo pulls the plug
News
Apr 10th, 2024
Microsoft saves the day: Activision Blizzard games are set to return to China in new NetEase deal
Top Stories
News
9 hours, 13 minutes ago
Square Enix warns of "extraordinary losses" ahead of upcoming financial report
News
12 hours, 1 minute ago
PocketGamer.biz Podcast - GameFounders' Kadri Harma on unlocking the MENA games market
Feature
12 hours, 43 minutes ago
Hear MORE from the experts - eight MORE fabulous fireside chats from PGC London 2024
Feature
Apr 29th, 2024
King’s Paula Ingvar: a games industry journey from "I’m not worthy!" to Candy Crush Soda’s VP of product
Events
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2024 | Middle East | May 1st |
The MENA Games Industry Awards 2024 | Middle East | May 2nd |
GameDev Atlantic 2024 | May 4th | |
Mobidictum Meetup Berlin May 2024 | Europe | May 7th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Israel Mobile Summit 2024 | Middle East | Jun 6th |
WN Conference Istanbul 2024 | Jun 11th | |
DevGAMM Vilnius 2024 | Europe | Jun 14th |
Popular Stories
News
Apr 23rd, 2024
Supercell’s Squad Busters soft launches today with over 100,000 Google Play downloads
News
Apr 25th, 2024