Microsoft, Samsung in patent cross-licensing pact
Microsoft (MSFT) and Samsung Electronics Wednesday agreed to a patent cross-licensing deal as well as cooperation in developing and marketing Microsoft's Windows Phone.
Samsung's EVP of global product strategy at its mobile communication division Won-Pyo Hong said: "Through the cross-licensing of our respective patent portfolios, Samsung and Microsoft can continue to bring the latest innovations to the mobile industry."
As part of the agreement, Microsoft will receive royalties for Samsung's mobile phones and tablets running the Android mobile platform.
The importance of technology patents has increased over the past year as small companies attempt to take as much value as they can from aging portfolios, often with the help of enforcement companies, as established companies, such as Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) build patent libraries.
Samsung has grappled with patent infringement troubles recently, and earlier this month saw a German court bar it from selling its Galaxy Tab in Europe's biggest economy on the grounds that it copied Apple's popular iPad tablet.
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