http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/60595?source=NWWNLE_nlt_daily_pm_2010-04-28Yesterday, Microsoft announced that it would be collecting royalties from HTC for its intellectual property used in Android phones. This marks Microsoft's first public statement that singles out Android particularly as an offender. Microsoft is not just lumping in Android as part of its broader claims against Linux generally, sources say.
In talking to folks in the know, the story I've been told is that Microsoft approached HTC and said it would much rather license than litigate, but if HTC didn't want to cough up the royalties, it would find itself battling Microsoft in court, just like it is now battling Apple. What's a poor device manufacturer to do? HTC bowed and agreed to pay license fees and sources say it was a one-way agreement. Microsoft isn't licensing any of HTC's patent portfolio in return. Microsoft is not being specific as to which features, functionality it believes Android and HTC violates.
From the horse's mouth:
"Microsoft Corp. and HTC Corp. have signed a patent agreement that provides broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for HTC’s mobile phones running the Android mobile platform. Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will receive royalties from HTC."
Finally, the harm Microsoft has endured by having their intellectual property stolen from them can be compensated
Any wonder why I get fired up about this stuff? What a crock. Please stop supporting it.
Don't worry, even if we all tried our best to kill IP laws forever they couldn't possibly be totally eradicated from society.
