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Microsoft has decided to take action against Barnes & Noble, Foxconn, and Inventec in relation to a range of patent infringements on Android devices all three companies either manufacture or sell.
While many see Android as a Google-developed operating system, Microsoft claims to own a number of patents Android uses. Microsoft’s Deputy General Counsel for IP and Licensing, Horacio Gutierrez, has made it clear that the action being taken has been done so as a last resort. Apparently all three companies have been approached repeatedly for the last 12 months to agree a licensing deal, but none have been willing to comply.
While the specific patents being infringed have not been detailed,we do know Microsoft is focusing on interaction with the operating system, e-books, and documents, as well as methods to speed up web surfing as part of its infringement claim. They most likely has a very strong case for one simple reason: HTC has already signed up to a licensing agreement covering all its Android devices.
With such an agreement in place it has already been established that Microsoft has the right to demand license payments for specific Android-related technologies or features. Unless B&N, Foxconn, and Inventec have somehow worked around the areas HTC could not, they will also have to agree to pay license fees.
As B&N distribute their Android devices in the U.S. Microsoft has filed its lawsuit aginst the company with the U.S. District Court. In the case of manufacturers Foxconn and Inventec, the International Trade Commission has been used.
