Microsoft and Foxconn’s parent firm Hon Hai Precision Industry have signed a global patent licensing deal for smartphones, tablets and televisions powered by Android and Chrome operating systems.
The deal will protect the company against patent claims for the use Google’ Android and Chrome operating systems in its products and under the agreement the US software giant will receive royalties from Hon Hai.
Microsoft Intellectual Property Group corporate vice president and deputy general counsel Horacio Gutierrez said the move lists Hon Hai in the list of firms benefiting from Microsoft’s Android licensing programme.
"By licensing both brand name companies and their contract manufacturers, we have successfully increased the overall effectiveness and global reach of the programme," Gutierrez said.
Under the patent licensing programme for Android device makers, Microsoft has signed license agreements with several firms, including Samsung, LG, HTC, Acer and Barnes & Noble.
Hon Hai Intellectual Property Department director Samuel Fu said the company holds more than 54,000 patents globally.
"The licensing agreement with Microsoft represents those efforts and our continued support of international trade agreements that facilitate implementation of effective patent protection," Fu said.
Technology firms are increasingly defending their turf in the courts, seeking penalties over patent and trademark infringements and injunctions to ban sales of products infringing their respective technologies.
Currently, ongoing legal war between Apple and Samsung Electronics has taken place in 10 countries as they combat for market share.
