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Microsoft signs a patent licensing agreement with Motorola

Motorola Solutions signs licensing agreement with Microsoft
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After HTC, Samsung, Nikon and many others, Microsoft signs an agreement with Motorola Solutions which covers devices running Android and Chrome OS.

Earlier today, Microsoft Corp. announced the signing of a patent licensing agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc. which "provides worldwide coverage under Microsoft's patent portfolio for Motorola Solutions' devices running the Android™ platform and Chrome OS™ operating system."

Rumors claim that companies like Motorola pay Microsoft a few dollars for each device sold, but the financial terms of these agreement never went public. According to the official press release, "Since Microsoft launched its IP licensing program in December 2003, the company has entered into more than 1,100 licensing agreements and continues to develop programs that open Microsoft's IP portfolio for customers, partners and competitors."

This patent licensing program for Android device-makers already resulted in agreements between Microsoft and big names such as Acer, LG, Barnes & Noble, ZTE, HTC or Samsung. "Microsoft prefers licensing to litigation, since licensing is a more effective way to share technology and accelerate the pace of innovation." said Nick Psyhogeos, Microsoft's general manager, associate general counsel, IP licensing of the company's Innovation and Intellectual Property Group.

While this agreement brings access to significant Microsoft R&D resources, it remains to be seen how will the end users benefit from it, especially since Motorola Solutions mainly provides solutions for enterprise and state institutions.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2014 04 > Microsoft signs a patent licensing agreement with Motorola
Codrut Nistor, 2014-04-21 (Update: 2014-04-23)