Microsoft inks patent protection deal with Foxconn parent

In exchange for unspecified royalties, Microsoft agrees not to sue the parent company of the world's largest hardware maker for devices it produces that run Google's Android and Chrome operating systems.

Microsoft has struck a patent-licensing agreement with Hon Hai, parent company of Foxconn, that protects the company from being sued by the software giant over devices it makes that run Google's Android and Chrome operating systems.

Hon Hai, parent company of the world's largest contract manufacturer, will pay Microsoft unspecified royalties in exchange for "broad coverage under Microsoft's patent portfolio," the companies announced this evening.

Microsoft has long argued that Chrome and Android infringe on the company's patented technology in areas ranging from the user interface to the underlying operating system. However, rather than going after Google for patent violations, Microsoft has targeted device makers, pressing them to license Microsoft's patents that it alleges Android and Chrome infringe upon.

With its Hon Hai agreement, Microsoft said it now has patent protection deals in place with hardware makers that produce more than half the world's Android smartphones.

"We are pleased that the list of companies benefiting from Microsoft's Android licensing program now includes the world's largest contract manufacturer, Hon Hai," Horacio Gutierrez, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel of the Intellectual Property Group at Microsoft, said in a statement. "By licensing both brand name companies and their contract manufacturers, we have successfully increased the overall effectiveness and global reach of the program."

Microsoft has reached similar agreements with other hardware and design makers, including Acer, HTC, ViewSonic, Nikon, Compal Electronics, Quanta Computer, and Wistron.

Google disagrees with Microsoft's approach and its deals with Android and Chrome device makers, contending that neither operating system violates Microsoft's patents.

Reducing patent litigation is a huge issue for Microsoft, which is not only a massive patent holder but a frequent target of patent suits. To smooth the process, the software giant launched a Web tool last month that lets anyone search its entire portfolio of 40,785 patents.

Microsoft said the new Web site, dubbed Patent Tracker, gives those who might otherwise illegally use Microsoft's patents without permission a way to find what intellectual property Microsoft owns.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57579970-75/microsoft-inks-patent-protection-deal-with-foxconn-parent/

Edit: Meanwhile in Microsoft headquarters!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNQW-63OuE4

Yeah that's pretty smart yet shady.

Getting rich while sleeping.

dat money... also read this: http://www.businessinsider.com/goldman-microsoft-android-2011-9?op=1
and consider that android-sales are still growing...

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

You mean, protecting your IPs?
Android uses MS technology and MS wants to have royalties for it.

DAMN YOU MS!

Are you saying that if someone or a company invents something new, that every other company should be allowed to copy it, sell it and put the origional company/person out of business?

You do remember, Microsoft is a business and like ALL for-profit business's their main goal is to sell a product or service in exchange for money, EA, Sony, Apple, Google they are all the same in this regard, just some people seem to think some are more evil than others when it comes to making money. (No idea why.)

EA is a little different though, unlike most companies if something fails, they blame it on the consumers and refuse refunds even in countries where it is law.

Then they would have gone after Samsung like Apple considering Samsung is one of the most successful Android phone makers. It appears Samsung is unwilling to sign such agreement. I'm calling BS on Microsoft. Although I am sure Samsung uses contract manufacturers like Foxconn (hell I'd be surprised if Foxconn didn't make a Samsung product).

Foxconn is probably the top contract manufacturer followed by Flextronics, Jabil and a few others.

Mmmmm!!!!

Samsung has been paying MS for the patent licenses since late 2011.

http://www.fosspatents.com/2013/02/android-patent-license-deals-continue.html

8. September 28, 2011: Microsoft and Samsung Broaden Smartphone Partnership ("Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will receive royalties for Samsung's mobile phones and tablets running the Android mobile platform.") (FOSS Patents coverage)

"Microsoft's Android licensing program"

that sounds so weird haha