Fried reports, “In a statement to CNET, Microsoft deputy general counsel Horacio Gutierrez said that, although Microsoft prefers to resolve intellectual property licensing issues without resorting to lawsuits, it has a responsibility to make sure that ‘competitors do not free ride on our innovations.'”
Fried reports, “His comments came as Microsoft and HTC announced they have inked a new patent deal that specifically provides the Taiwanese cell phone maker with the right to use Microsoft’s patented technologies in phones running Google’s Android operating system. Microsoft said it has been in talks with other phone makers… The pact comes as the patent battle in the cell phone space has grown more intense. Apple announced last month it was suing HTC for patent infringement. HTC is in an interesting position, being a leading maker of both Windows Mobile and Android-based devices.”
“Apple’s suit mentions HTC’s Android and Windows Mobile phones, although some observers have said that Android appears to be the focus of the suit,” Fried reports. “‘Google is really unable to protect HTC because they don’t have any portfolio of patents in this area,’ said Gartner analyst Ken Dulaney… It’s not clear to what degree, if any, the Microsoft agreement will help HTC in its battle against Apple. However, Dulaney said that is the key battle for HTC. ‘If this doesn’t in some way help HTC against Apple, frankly, I don’t think they gain much,’ Dulaney said.”
Read more in the full article – recommended – here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Too Hot!” for the heads up.]