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Microsoft Squeezes Android With Patent Fees
- Thread starter KingCrimson
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Microsoft wants to make it clear that Android isnt "free". Seemingly they have a very strong case in doing so based on all the past agreements.
Google wont do anything because they cant do anything. If they bought Microsoft's OS they would be protected by Microsoft, but since they use Google's free OS with no protection they are forced to defend themselves.
Not exactly... Google can show their patents related to Android. That would fend off Microsoft and anyone else. However, it would also open the door for Google to attack in court Windows Phone 7...
However, I really don't see Google playing this game et all.
To be quite honest I don't see Google having many industry related or at least critical patents at all. Which is one of the reasons folks are so puzzled over their odd performance during the Nortel patents bid.
In fact, one wonders what IP in Android is actually theirs.
Microsoft has a lot of patents, and Nokia has a very large bank of them. I doubt Google could find one relevant enough to throw back at Redmond, given their relative newness to the OS scene, mobile or otherwise.
If Microsoft finds something, Google will either have to remove the infringing components or pay a nice royalty.
Or just get away with it again for some inexplicable reason.
If Microsoft finds something, Google will either have to remove the infringing components or pay a nice royalty.
Or just get away with it again for some inexplicable reason.
I heard some speculation that Google plans to buy up RIM, which would give them a nice supply of pattents to use, as well as allow them to swap the Linux kernel with a QNX kernel, to further reduce their patent infringements.
There is another thread about this very discussion. Pretty interesting if you ask me....