Microsoft says Android infringes on its patents, licenses HTC.

[Kahnyl]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/28/...atents-licenses-htc/?icid=engadget-iphone-url

 

[maflynn]

I saw that. It will be interesting to see how this plays itself out. HTC not wanting another court battle has opted the license route.

Microsoft has long claimed linux has infringed on MS code, so this may be saber ratting or moving to actually protect its IP

 

[*LTD*]

People are under the impression elsewhere that MS is being "nice" and "generous." They're not. They just don't seem to have the stomach for a legal battle with HTC. It also gives the impression the MS wouldn't be able to defend their patents in this area. Not sure what those would be, though . . . "Method to completely uglify the User Interface"? "Lousy Touch Implementation to be bolted on to generic hardware"?

 

[maflynn]

Its not that MS doesn't have the stomach for a legal battle with HTC but the other way around. HTC is already embroiled in a legal battle with apple. Besides if MS didn't have the "stomach" they'd not say anything about the infringements or push HTC into licensing.

 

[kdarling]

A big difference between Apple and Microsoft, is that Microsoft is willing to license their IP, because licensing is how they derive their main income.

For example, Apple gained iPhone cred because Microsoft was willing to license ActiveSync to them.

OTOH, Apple apparently sued HTC without proposing any license terms. While Apple could not make the iPhone without licensing tech from others, they're not willing to turn around and do any sharing with anyone else.

All the above is obvious. But what is important about the HTC license news, is that Microsoft has vowed to help defend anyone using their IP. So now Apple is really going up against both Google and Microsoft.

 

[maflynn]

All the above is obvious. But what is important about the HTC license news, is that Microsoft has vowed to help defend anyone using their IP. So now Apple is really going up against both Google and Microsoft.

I disagree on that point. Apple is going after HTC because they alleging HTC is infringing on apple's IP which is different the MS's IP. They're not going to be helping HTC with their fight against apple. Google is, but not MS.

 

[ChazUK]

Any credibility to this?

REDMOND, Wash. – Microsoft Corp. appears to be taking sides with the Taiwanese cell phone maker HTC Corp. in its legal tussle with Apple Inc. over intellectual property.
Microsoft said Wednesday that it has reached an agreement that will give HTC the rights to use its technology in phones using Google's Android software. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Microsoft called the deal "an example of how industry leaders can reach commercial arrangements that address intellectual property." Although Microsoft didn't mention Apple directly, this pact comes a month after Apple sued HTC and accused the company of violating patents related to the iPhone.
HTC, which has said it will defend itself against Apple's claims, is a key partner for Google in its expansion into mobile services, a move that has ignited a more direct competition with Apple.
Apple did not return messages seeking comment.
Microsoft's decision reflects the complex alliances at play in a fierce battle among technology companies to control the future of how consumers interact with online services on a range of computers and mobile devices.
Microsoft and Apple are longtime rivals. Microsoft also competes with Google in online search and in cell phone software. But Microsoft and HTC have long-standing relationships as well. Needham & Co. analyst Charles Wolf expects HTC to release a phone running the next version of Microsoft's Windows software for mobile phones this year.

Source.

I think that it's BS considering this:

Microsoft has a decades-long record of investment in software platforms. As a result, we have built a significant patent portfolio in this field, and we have a responsibility to our customers, partners, and shareholders to ensure that competitors do not free ride on our innovations. We have also consistently taken a proactive approach to licensing to resolve IP infringement by other companies, and have been talking with several device manufacturers to address our concerns relative to the Android mobile platform.

The Engadget article was just recently updated with the above info. Seems like Microsoft is targeting Android in a big way.

 

[kdarling]

Seems like Microsoft is targeting Android in a big way.

If MS were targeting Android "in a big way", then they'd refuse to license their IP and just file lawsuits, as Apple has.

However, it's in Microsoft's interest to get validation for their IP, which is partly why MS is willing to license it to anyone. The more competition out there using their IP, the better.

So HTC simply pays MS a couple of dollars a unit, which is a small addition to the reportedly $30+ per smartphone that already goes to licenses and royalties for cellular and other technology.

 

[Kahnyl]

This is not some small problem. One of the main attractions of Android is that it is free. Now it's not, for HTC at least. So manufacturers have one less big reason to choose it over WP7.

Also, it puts the company who actually makes the OS in an awkward position. Their partners are having to cough up money to a third party either because Google infringed copyrights or because they aren't challenging MS on their claims.

 

[zap2]

They just don't seem to have the stomach for a legal battle with HTC. ?

I think it really has to do with the fact that HTC is one of their hardware partners, so MS isn't looking to piss them off(or in real business terms, harm their ability to put out good hardware running MS's new mobile OS they are hope will win them some market share )

That said, MS wants to protect the IPs they own.

 

[maflynn]

I think it really has to do with the fact that HTC is one of their hardware partners, so MS isn't looking to piss them off(or in real business terms, harm their ability to put out good hardware running MS's new mobile OS they are hope will win them some market share )

That said, MS wants to protect the IPs they own.

good point, one that I had not considered, they have their own batch if winmo phones and given the shrinking marketshare of winmo phones, they don't want to kill off their relationship a major vendor like HTC