Microsoft Lands Patent Agreement With ViewSonic And Acer
And the parent wars, continue. Microsoft has been drilling down agreements with companies left and right, largely getting them to dole out funds in exchange for using Android, which Microsoft claims uses their patents. It's a weird legal mess, and clearly there are some companies willing to fight it. But Acer and ViewSonic aren't in that group. Both companies have been churning out Android devices, and now, both companies have signed onto Microsoft's growing list of patent licensees.
According to MS, both outfits have signed a patent agreement that provides broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for their tablets and mobile phones running the Android or Chrome Platform. Although the contents of the agreement have not been disclosed, the parties indicate that Microsoft will receive royalties under the agreement.
It's weird when trying to figure out how to feel about this. One on hand, you know MS is backing these smaller companies into a corner and forcing them to pay up for a platform that Microsoft doesn't even own. But on the other, patents were design to protect those who invent. Either way, it's obvious who isn't interested in putting up their dukes...
According to MS, both outfits have signed a patent agreement that provides broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for their tablets and mobile phones running the Android or Chrome Platform. Although the contents of the agreement have not been disclosed, the parties indicate that Microsoft will receive royalties under the agreement.
It's weird when trying to figure out how to feel about this. One on hand, you know MS is backing these smaller companies into a corner and forcing them to pay up for a platform that Microsoft doesn't even own. But on the other, patents were design to protect those who invent. Either way, it's obvious who isn't interested in putting up their dukes...
