14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft continues to cash in from the companies leveraging Google’s open source platforms, with the Redmond company adding yet another patent licensing deal to its already impressive collection of intellectual property agreements that cover devices running operating systems such as Android and Chrome.
The software giant inked a fresh IP deal, this time around with Taiwan-based Quanta Computer, the largest notebook computer ODM company worldwide, according to the info it shares with the public.
As an original design manufacturer (ODM), Quanta not only manufactures, but also designs devices which are subsequently rebranded and commercialized by other companies.
The ODM’s site seems to be a tad outdated, as it appears that Quanta worked on devices such as the RIM PlayBook and Amazon Fire. (according to gdgt)
There was no mention of any of these devices in the announcement made by the software giant.
However, Microsoft id stress that the patent agreement covers all “Quanta’s tablets, smartphones and other consumer devices running the Android or Chrome platforms.” After inking the deal, Quanta will benefit from broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio, the Redmond company noted.
“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,” revealed Horacio Gutierrez, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel, Intellectual Property Group at Microsoft.
As usual, the specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed to the public, and neither company wished to share the financial details of the deal.
Still, Microsoft did underline that it will receive royalties from Quanta because of the patents that Android and Chrome are infringing on.
In the past 18 months Microsoft signed no less than nine Android-related agreements, the last of which with Samsung. Additional companies that entered similar deals with the software giant include HTC, General Dynamics Itronix, Wistron, Acer, ViewSonic, Velocity Micro and Onkyo.