Microsoft claims Android steps on its patents (CNet)

It infringes on my patents, too. I'd divulge which patents, but they're trade secrets, you understand.

Meanwhile, I'll have my lawyers call your lawyers and we'll come up with a settlement. I'm sure you all agree that nobody wants a protracted court case, and what's a few hundred million between friends?

Here we go... MS nibbling at the edges of Google's OEM business relationships. I guess that means Android is officially mainstream.

You think MS has the cajones to take these claims directly to Google? And do you think Google has the cajones to try to make a court case of it if they do?

The situation as it stands sort of sucks..if the patent violations are in the software...MS is able to target the OEM for a patent violation also targeting Google as the software supplier. it makes it difficult for Google to get involved since MS isn't coming at them directly. The allowed selectivity in patent infringement targeting is a real problem.

Or is this some sort of clever arrangement so that HTC can get under the protective coverage of MS's patent portfolio to protect them from Apple's patent violation claims. Paying royalties to license access of one patent stockpile as an insurance against attack from another competitor's patent stockpile.

-jef

I'll bet dollars to donuts that the terms are very favourable to HTC. I imagine HTC are paying a token amount to Microsoft, and in return Microsoft are getting this press release out of them and (they hope) start to set a precedent. This is how a round of patent FUD always starts. Make an announcement with someone who will roll over easily.

I'm not surprised by this - HTC have always been very close to Microsoft.

Did they identify the patents? I want it established that when an IP holder accuses someone publicly of violation of their IP, whether directly or indirectly, then the accused has standing in court to demand disclosure of the particular IP. A put-up or shut-up law. If the accuser does not respond in a timely manner then the accuser is barred from patent infringement claims against the accused for failure to prosecute a claim.

Confronting the infringer privately first is the honorable way of resolving a conflict but FUD attacks are both malicious and cowardly. FUD is not the tool of decent people. If your IP is violated then be specific about why you think so. Otherwise, you are providing false testimony with the intention to cause harm. Telling a known falsehood is a lie but so is wilfully speaking about what you do not know. Competition on the merits of one's work is one thing. Competition by mud slinging is disgraceful.

Call the next FUD slinger to account!