Microsoft and Wistron have executed a patent agreement that provides broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for Wistron’s tablets, mobile phones, e-readers and other consumer devices running the Android or Chrome platform.
Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft is expected to receive royalties from Wistron.
Microsoft corporate vice president and deputy general counsel of Intellectual Property and Licensing Horacio Gutierrez said, "We are pleased that Wistron is taking advantage of our industrywide licensing program, established to help companies address Android’s IP issues."
Microsoft has signed more than 700 licensing agreements and continues to develop programmes that help increase access to its intellectual property (IP) portfolio since the launch of its IP licensing programme in December 2003.
Last week, the company entered into a patent agreement with tablet maker Velocity Micro that provides broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for Velocity Micro Android-based devices, including Velocity Micro’s Cruz Tablet.
It was the second patent deal last week in which Microsoft had inked with a manufacturer over patents related to Android-based products.
Microsoft recently signed a similar patent agreement with General Dynamics Itronix devices running the Android platform.
Microsoft had also signed a similar patent deal with mobile device maker HTC in April 2010 where the latter agreed to pay royalties for the use of patented technology in its Android-powered devices.
Microsoft claims that the patent agreement is "another example" of its IP portfolio.
