Microsoft and Samsung have reached an agreement regarding Google’s Android infringement over Microsoft patents. The deal has not been disclosed by either parts, but if similar to HTC or Viewsonic deal, then Samsung should be paying Microsoft around 5-10$ in licensing fee. Most likely, from previous reports, Samsung is probably going to increase its Windows base phone selection thanks to this agreement.
Is Google really making money with Android? Definitely, but Microsoft is also doing pretty well. With Android that is. Reports are estimating that thanks to its licensing agreements, Microsoft should be able to pocket around $445 million dollars in licensing fee. For instance, Samsung should pay Microsoft a royalty fee for every Samsung Galaxy S2 and Galaxy Tab 10.1 it sold.
When we know that Samsung sold millions of copies of the Galaxy S2, the amount due to Microsoft goes up pretty quickly.
So far, Microsoft has been able to reach agreements with all major developers. One main developer remains thought. Motorola. The problem with this one, is that Google recently bought Motorola Mobility. I can hardly see Google paying Microsoft a license fee for a product they’ve made. Legal battle ahead? Most likely, hopefully those battle won’t stop new product releases like the Apple and Samsung conflict.
