Microsoft and Samsung sitting in a tree, patent s-h-a-r-i-n-g

Microsoft put on its nicest suit when it invited Samsung to the patent-licensing barn dance . Whatever it whispered as the two snuggled close during the slow jams about rescuing the Korean giant from the quagmire of Android litigation , it worked. Sammy has entered into a deal to license Redmond’s vast patent archive and, if the rumors are to be believed, it will pay $15 per handset sold for the privilege. (No word on if that includes the $45 million in fees that would just cover sales of the Galaxy S II. ) This seems like it could be an implicit vote of no-confidence concerning Google’s promises that its acquisition of Motorola would make courtroom drama a thing of the past. There’s also a strong reference to the pair collaborating on Mango , and we can only assume that it comes with a significantly less punitive licensing charge in place. Between Android , Windows Phone , Bada and Tizen , it’s clear Samsung is hedging its operating system bets. There’s a press release after the break, but take our word on it, at no point does it mention Steve Ballmer, lying naked on a bed of money, laughing to himself. Continue reading Microsoft and Samsung sitting in a tree, patent s-h-a-r-i-n-g Microsoft and Samsung sitting in a tree, patent s-h-a-r-i-n-g originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

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