Samsung Will Be Paying Microsoft For Android Use

Microsoft has signed today a definitive agreement with Samsung which cross-license the two companies patent portfolios. The agreement states that Samsung will be paying Microsoft royalties for Samsung’s devices running Android mobile platform. Also the two companies will be co-developing and marketing Windows Phone 7. according to Microsoft.

Microsoft-Samsung Partnership

“Microsoft and Samsung see the opportunity for dramatic growth in Windows Phone and we’re investing to make that a reality,” said Andy Lees, president, Windows Phone Division, Microsoft. “Microsoft believes in a model where all our partners can grow and profit based on our platform.”

Samsung And Android

FOSS PATENTS commented on the news :

“This is the most important Android-related intellectual property deal in its own right, and even more significant against the background of Google’s proposed acquisition of Motorola Mobility. If Samsung truly believed that Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility was going to be helpful to the Android ecosystem at large, it would have waited until that deal is closed before concluding the license agreement with Microsoft. But Samsung probably knows it can’t rely on Google. It decided to address Android’s intellectual property issues on its own.”

Samsung And Windows Phone 7

“Through the cross-licensing of our respective patent portfolios, Samsung and Microsoft can continue to bring the latest innovations to the mobile industry,” said Dr. Won-Pyo Hong, executive vice president of global product strategy at Samsung’s mobile communication division. “We are pleased to build upon our long history of working together to open a new chapter of collaboration beginning with our Windows Phone “Mango” launch this fall.”

So will you buy a Samsung Mobile running a Windows phone Mango??

[via]