The older the crab, the tougher his claws
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Acer and Viewsonic sign patent licence deals with Microsoft to protect Android
COMPUTER MAKER Acer and US display company Viewsonic have signed a patent licensing agreement with software firm Microsoft that will help protect their Android smartphone and tablet products.
Microsoft is keeping tight-lipped about the details of the agreements, but it said the deals give "broad coverage" for Android devices, suggesting that there were many patents involved and that they cover a variety of areas relating to mobile technology.
"We are pleased that Acer [and ViewSonic are] taking advantage of our industry-wide licensing program established to help companies address Android's IP issues," said Horacio Gutierrez, corporate VP and deputy general counsel of intellectual property and licensing at Microsoft. "This agreement is an example of how industry leaders can reach commercially reasonable arrangements that address intellectual property."
This is a significant move for Acer and Viewsonic, as it helps protect them from being sued by Microsoft, or more likely Apple, for patent infringement. The decision was likely taken in reaction to the recent spate of lawsuits, including Apple's attacks on Samsung, which likely also prompted Google's decision to buy Motorola Mobility to help fight the patent war.
The deal will help protect Acer's Liquid, Betouch and Stream ranges of smartphones and its Iconia Tab tablet computers, in addition to Viewsonic's Gtablet, Viewbook and Viewpad tablets.
Microsoft has an extensive patent licensing network, with over 700 deals under its belt since it began its licensing programme in late 2003. While Windows Phone 7 has failed to gain the traction it hoped for so far, it still pulls in significant funds from Android supporters with its patent portfolio.
Financial details of the deals were not disclosed. µ
Tags: Microsoft
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I am so sick at microsoft and apple! It honestly irritates me knowing these BULLIES can " GET AWAY WITH THIS!" It seems once again that the over-riding lessons in school are repeated. The LOUDEST MOUTH.The BIGGEST Bully get's away with Dirty deeds. microsoft-apple dual world power act on a co-ordinated front. They STEAL XeroX IP. THEN ADMITS IT, WATCH HERE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK7TQVFSA1Y NOW APPLE claims that IP as THEIR OWN!! How perverse!! XeroX sits and wonders what happened, AS apple LAUGHS AT THEM AND ADMITS TO BEING SHAMELESS. Laughing all the way to the bank. It's sickening. apple now uses STOLEN IP to sue anyone using NOT IDENTICAL but A SIMILAR APPROACH. Shame. Question maybe someone can explain it all. What lessons are gleaned. By the way. Samsung did NOT start this. They responded ( not too smart) late. They HAD to. So these guys have to defend themselves. Let's not get it twisted. Like I said the EVIL microsoft / apple AXIS INFURIATES ME!
Instead of "Acer and Viewsonic sign patent licence deals with Microsoft to protect Android," the headline should read:
"Acer and Viewsonic sign patent licence deals with Microsoft because licensing is cheaper than litigation to get the invalid patents overturned."
So, MS is now making more money from patent scare than they're making from windows phone 7 sales. Now that's just funny...Because it's most likely true.
Just behaving like Mafia.