HTC are Paying Microsoft to use Google Android on their phones (wat!)

[mrk]

Engadget reports on this curious case of patent infringement by HTC on Microsoft technologies (what exactly is not yet disclosed) but thankfully Microsoft is licensing out the technology to HTC now so all looks fine and dandy for the long run although there's no say on if this license fee will affect handset prices to the end user in the future.

The lawyers up in Redmond seem to have been woken from their slumber with the sudden realization that -- oh look! -- Google's Android OS infringes on Microsoft's boatload of software patents. How specifically it does so is not identified, but Microsoft believes that elements from both the user interface and the underlying operating system are in violation of its rights. This is very much in keeping with the Windows maker's crusade to assert patent claims over Linux, which in the past has garnished it with cross-licensing deals with Amazon and Xandros, as well as a settlement from TomTom. Lawsuits are not yet being discussed here, but lest you think this is a small-time disturbance, HTC has already decided to shorten its list of troubles by ponying up for a license from Microsoft for "running the Android mobile platform." Yes, that does sound ludicrous, but it's now an unfortunate fact that a major Android phone manufacturer is having to pay Microsoft royalties to use Google's operating system.

Point your digits over here for the source.

I think licensing it out is a better move than going on a lawsuit patrol TBH like a certain other brand name has done. It seems a lot of companies are now throwing light digs at Apple for their grippy fist over everything as of late; Adobe, Microsoft, HTC, The Internets....

 

[V4NT0M]

Software patents are gay.

 

[Django x2]

so gay

 

[reflux]

gayer than a gaymosexual

 

[Columbo]

gaymosexual

I'm going to patent that word

 

[antijoke]

Well that's gay!

 

[Django x2]

so gay

 

[mrk]

gay comments!