We know that Microsoft has been quietly collecting royalties for patents used in Android products. HTC has been reported in the past that they’re paying $5 to Microsoft for every Android device they put out, and not too long ago we reported that ViewSonic and Acer had also entered in an agreement with Microsoft to pay them royalties for any Android products they made, and now it looks like Samsung has been added to the list.
Several months back, there was news that Microsoft was demanding Samsung to pay them $15 for every Android handset they made, but now it looks like both companies have finally come to an agreement in a cross-licensing agreement. Basically this means that Samsung will still pay Microsoft royalties for any Android product they make, much like the other companies we mentioned just now.
As to how much they are paying Microsoft remains a private and confidential matter. This leaves other major Android players such as Motorola, Sony Ericsson and LG the only ones left who have yet to sign a deal with Microsoft, although we would not be surprised if they are all still in talks.
Filed in . Read more about Android, Microsoft, Patents and Samsung.