14 DAY TRIAL // Foxconn, the Taiwanese company that’s currently making approximately 40 percent of the handheld devices in the entire world, has officially become Microsoft’s number one Android and Chrome OS patent licensee, following a new deal with the Redmond-based tech giant.
No financial details have been provided, but Ars Technica writes that Foxconn is now playing an even more important role in Microsoft’s Android licensing strategy than tech companies such as Samsung, LG, HTC, Acer, and Barnes & Noble.
“Hon Hai is the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer that holds more than 54,000 patents worldwide,” said Samuel Fu, director of the Intellectual Property Department at Hon Hai.
“We recognize and respect the importance of international efforts that seek to protect intellectual property. The licensing agreement with Microsoft represents those efforts and our continued support of international trade agreements that facilitate implementation of effective patent protection.”
Foxconn is currently assembling iPhones and iPads, while also manufacturing PlayStation 3 and Wii U gaming consoles, with customers including Apple, Dell, Google, Sony, Toshiba, and Microsoft.