In just the latest in its series of licensing agreements, Microsoft announced today that it has signed a patent deal with Quanta Computer that will enable Microsoft to receive a royalty from the sales of Quanta's smartphones, tablets, and other devices that use Google's Android and Chrome operating systems. The specifics about the new patent deal were not revealed. In a statement. Microsoft corporate vice-president Horacio Gutierrez said, "We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Quanta, and proud of the continued success of our Android licensing program in resolving IP issues surrounding Android and Chrome devices in the marketplace."
Taiwan-based Quanta was founded in 1988. It is the single largest manufacturer of notebook computers in the world, making laptops for every major PC seller like Apple, HP, Dell, Lenovo and others. It has just recently started to sell smartphones, tablets and notebooks under its own brand.
Microsoft has been making patent deals with a number of makers of Android and Chrome based products that give Microsoft a slice of every product sold. Agreements have been made with companies like HTC, Acer, Onkyo and most recently Samsung.
During a conference call with analysts following the release of its quarterly financial numbers, Google CEO Larry Page took a shot at Microsoft on the subject of these licensing deals. News.com reports that Page said, "They've continued resorting to legal measures to hassle their partners. It's odd." He added that so far Google has not seen any impact on Android as a result of Microsoft's actions, saying, "We're seeing no signs that that's effective. If anything, our position is getting stronger."
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