{"id":545670,"date":"2010-04-28T04:59:02","date_gmt":"2010-04-28T08:59:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wmpoweruser.com\/?p=15812"},"modified":"2010-04-28T04:59:02","modified_gmt":"2010-04-28T08:59:02","slug":"microsoft-extends-windows-phone-patent-protection-to-htc%e2%80%99s-android-phones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/545670","title":{"rendered":"Microsoft extends Windows Phone patent protection to HTC\u2019s Android phones"},"content":{"rendered":"

In an interesting and frankly bizarre move,  Microsoft has signed a patent agreement with HTC<\/a> that provides broad coverage under Microsoft\u2019s patent portfolio for HTC\u2019s mobile phones running the Android mobile platform. <\/p>\n

\u201cHTC and Microsoft have a long history of technical and commercial collaboration, and today\u2019s agreement is an example of how industry leaders can reach commercial arrangements that address intellectual property,\u201d said Horacio Gutierrez, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel of Intellectual Property and Licensing at Microsoft. \u201cWe are pleased to continue our collaboration with HTC.\u201d<\/p>\n

HTC is currently under attack from various sources for patent infringement, but the highest profile case has been Apple\u2019s attempt to block HTC from importing its phones into USA.  Most of Apple\u2019s claims have been based on the Android software running in most of HTC\u2019s devices.<\/p>\n

While under the agreement Microsoft will receive royalty payments from HTC, the development would still appear , in an increasingly litigious market, to remove a major selling point from Microsoft\u2019s Windows Mobile and Windows Phone OS. <\/p>\n

Does Microsoft\u2019s decision make sense to our readers? Let us know your thoughts below.<\/p>\n

Via MSMobiles.com<\/a><\/p>\n