Microsoft announced on Thursday that it has signed yet another set of patent agreements. This time, with Acer and ViewSonic. As part of the deal, the Redmond software giant will receive undisclosed royalties from Acer and ViewSonic phones and tablets running Android or Chrome.
Google often touts Android’s price tag–or lack thereof–but Microsoft continues to assert that Android is not truly free. There are many hidden costs involved, thanks to the numerous patent infringements found in the Android platform. “We are pleased that Acer and ViewSonic are taking advantage of our industrywide licensing program established to help companies address Android’s IP issues,” said Horacio Gutierrez, Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Intellectual Property and Licensing at Microsoft.
“Today’s two patent agreements make for six Microsoft patent deals in the last 75 days,” tweeted Brad Smith, Microsoft’s General Counsel. “It’s safe to predict more will follow this fall.” Smith, of course, was referring to Microsoft’s previous arrangements with General Dynamics Itronix, Onkyo, Velocity Micro, and Wilstron. Microsoft also has an agreement with HTC. The exact details of this agreement are unknown, but Android-based HTC devices reportedly earn Microsoft $5 per item sold.
