Microsoft Hits Kyocera With Lawsuit Over Android Patent Infringements

For those who have been following mobile news, you guys are probably aware that Microsoft owns a fair number of patents that are required by Android OEMs, which means that while Microsoft might not have much to do with Android, they are getting paid in royalties from OEMs who use their patents to build their Android handsets.

However it seems that not all OEMs have paid Microsoft, and Kyocera is reportedly one of them as Microsoft has since hit the handset manufacturer with a patent infringing lawsuit. According to the lawsuit, Microsoft alleges that Kyocera infringed upon seven of Microsoft’s patents and that the company’s Duraforce, Hydro, and Brigadier lineups are part of it.

The patent is said to involve location services and text messaging. Microsoft deputy general counsel David Howard has since released a statement which reads, “We respect Kyocera but we believe they need to license the patented technology they are using. We’re hopeful this case can be resolved amicably.”

It is unclear as to how Kyocera plans on proceeding, but given that pretty much most Android OEMs have licensed the patents from Microsoft, perhaps Kyocera would be interested in following suit rather than try to fight their way out of it. The company has yet to comment on the lawsuit.

Tyler Lee
Categories: Cellphones
Tags: Android, kyocera, Legal, Microsoft