Earlier today, Microsoft and Samsung finally came to terms regarding their patent lawsuits. Just like previous lawsuits before them aimed at HTC and others Samsung will now owe Micro$oft money for every single Android handset sold. This has been going on for a while and not the first time we’ve heard from Google or their lawyers. Just last month we mentioned Microsoft makes 3 times more off these patent payouts from Android phone OEM’s than they do from Windows Phone 7 as a whole.
Obviously Google wanting Android to be open and “free” this is causing a serious issue that is hurting both the OEM’s, and their innovation. Today Google lashed out regarding the recent Samsung Microsoft deal and this is what they had to say (they aren’t happy):
This is the same tactic we’ve seen time and again from Microsoft. Failing to succeed in the smartphone market, they are resorting to legal measures to extort profit from others’ achievements and hinder the pace of innovation. We remain focused on building new technology and supporting Android partners.”
In case you missed it, Google is basically calling Microsoft a bunch of “extortionists” and using others success against them since Windows Phone 7 is going no where fast. The fact they actually used the word “extort” is pretty awesome and for that I must applaud them. The story doesn’t stop here either.
Microsoft’s head of communications, Frank Shaw, has just responded to these extortion claims and basically sums it up all in one simple word being — Waaah! While the response isn’t technically official, saying it on Twitter makes it loud and clear.
Following that simple tweet Shaw followed up with a bit more details regarding the situation and urged the people over at Mountain View (Google) to read a few lines from a recent Microsoft Blog, below are the lines he outlined in his tweet.
We recognize that some businesses and commentators – Google chief among them – have complained about the potential impact of patents on Android and software innovation. To them, we say this: look at today’s announcement. If industry leaders such as Samsung and HTC can enter into these agreements, doesn’t this provide a clear path forward?”
So what does that all mean? Basically Micro$oft is telling Google and their OEM’s to pay up, and get used to it because it wont be stopping anytime soon. That is what I gather from this at least. While Windows Phone 7 continues to do “meh” in the smartphone business Microsoft will continue to rack in millions and millions of dollars thanks to HTC, Samsung, and soon to be Motorola all because Android is such a success.
We’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts and comments regarding this situation so feel free to drop us a line in the comment section below.
[via SlashGear]
Microsoft will always be remembered as dog!
THE GOVERNMENT (FCC OR WHOMEVER) SHOUD GET INVOLVED, I AGREE WITH GOOGLE, WHY SHOULD THEY REAP BENEFITS FOR SOMETHING THEY DID NOT CREATE OR PUSH??? ONLY IN AMERICA! SMH…
Let me boil down this article – from 200+ words to 1: Waaaah.
Which patent Android use is from Microsoft?
What’s new with that news, most of Microsoft’s dealing lately is like that, then after a few months they’ll probably claim that Android is now under their wings.
I understand why Google is furious but meh, the System really needs to change.
I have respected Microsoft for a long time due to their constant struggle to innovate to stay on top of the game. Now they are not doing that but taking profits for devices whose creation they had nothing to do with. Apple has more to do with android than MS (competition and challenging iOS). MS has lost a lot of respect over this. I will think twice before investing in Win 8 and WP7 now.
don’t really care about any of these guys, but, create nothing? MS is a creator, the handset manufactures are using their patented ideas for use in their products. If you don’t believe in patent laws, then we should just go to Foxcomm, Samsung etc and replace their lables with one of our own and say it a new product.
It’s companies not wanting to invest in creating that is the cause of the issue. BTW I have a Windows Phone with Mango on it, I would caution that this could take over Andriod and Apple in the 3-4 year horizon. The OS is fast, slick and very user friendly, the integration is amazing. I switched from Android to Windows because the handset can’t seem to get the latest updates unless you have a Google Nexus.
I doubt Microsoft changes its behavior anytime soon. It has been awhile since they produced a platform that people actually wanted to use.
you know… this sounds like person A saying I’m patenting a Space Ship!
And when person B actually does spend the effort and time to produce it, A says I THOUGHT OF IT FIRST! Give me your money!
FCC and Patent laws should be revised… it’s ugly to see corperations doing that… What message does that tell our generations to come?
Unless Microsoft ACTUALLY did create a physical prototype i don’t believe they should have the rights to be claiming Google’s Revenues…
Same thing should go for failed patents… they should be expired once it’s not being worked on and developed and let someone else with the capabilities to take it over…
or perhaps even a collaboration between the initial innovator and the final successor..
If these large cooperation’s won’t do what’s morally right… the FCC and Patent laws should…