Microsoft snags yet another Android manufacturer with royalty fees
Microsoft’s patent infringement dispute with Google has been ongoing with no signs of it letting up. Microsoft has been going after various Android manufacturers instead of going after Google to collect royalty fees.
Microsoft alleges that Google’s Android infringes on its patents, while Google argues that anyone could see that the patents are “worthless” and vague at best. Julie Samuels of NPR, previously stated that Microsoft is resorting to using its patents because the company realizes that its not winning over consumers in the mobile market. Patent expert, David Martin also stated that Microsoft is threatening other manufacturers with worthless patents.
The latest victim to fall under Microsoft’s claws is Pantech. According to Slash Gear, Microsoft has struck a deal with the South Korean handset manufacturer stipulating that the company has to pay a royalty fee for every handset sold for doing something as simple as displaying a battery icon on the screen.
With nearly 70 percent of the Android manufacturers paying some sort of royalty fee to Microsoft, the pressure is on Google to do something about it. Microsoft is currently in the process of suing Motorola, which was recently acquired by Google. It seems inevitable that the two giants will have a final showdown in the courtroom at some point. The outcome of this legal battle could set a new precedent and undo what Microsoft has done over the past several years.
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