∞ Microsoft's Android patent squeeze

Written by

Alan Shimel:

B&N claims that all of these are “trivial” and “insignificant” in terms of Android’s use. They claim Microsoft is using these patents for minor functionality to hold Android hostage. It is not just licensing fee’s either, though they claim is Microsoft is recieving anywere from $5 dollars to $15 dollars or more per copy of Android sold (which is equal to or more thanwhat they charge for Windows Mobile licenses). Barnes & Nobles claims that along with paying the blood money Microsoft demands, Microsoft also makes license holders sign an “oppressive” agreement which gives Microsoft say over future hardware and software configurations and innovations. This according to B&N is to ensure that they keep Android from advancing too far, too fast for Microsoft to keep up. That is in many ways worse than the licensing fees. Microsoft wants to control future Android development and innovation. Positively evil.


  • Anonymous

    And does this surprise anyone?

  • http://twitter.com/Techslacker Jim Huls

    If you copy or use someone else’s work without permission you should expect there to be a price to pay. Here’s some cheese for that whine. sigh

    • http://twitter.com/cutterpillow Dave Thorup

      While I more or less agree with you it’s hard to argue that Android is ripping off anything from Microsoft. Android is a copy of iOS, not a copy of anything Microsoft has produced.

      However, Android has absolutely killed Microsoft’s Windows Mobile licensing business by giving device makers free licenses. Microsoft is fighting back by making the cost of developing an Android device the same or more than developing a Windows Phone 7 device and they’re using the broken patent system to do so. We’re in desperate need of patent reform – software patents should either be eliminated completely or severely restricted in scope & length. 

      Whether you or I think it’s fair or not doesn’t really matter, Microsoft is playing the game the current system allows and they’re playing it fairly well.

  • http://www.theuniversalsteve.com Anonymous

    Thanks for the link. I ordered some nice New Year’s cards from Dingbat Press.