Microsoft reaches licensing deal on HTC phones

Microsoft Corp. claims it has patents covering phones that use Google Inc.'s Android software — but unlike Apple Inc., Microsoft has reached a licensing deal rather than suing over the software.

Microsoft said Wednesday that it has reached an agreement that will give HTC Corp., a Taiwanese company is a major maker of Android phones, the rights to use technology covered by Microsoft's patents in those phone. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The deal comes a month after Apple sued HTC and accused the company of violating patents related to the iPhone.

HTC, which has said it will defend itself against Apple's claims, is a key partner for Google in its expansion into mobile services, a move that has ignited a more direct competition with Apple and Microsoft.

HTC started out as a maker of phones based on Microsoft's Windows Mobile software, but as that operating system has lost favor among buyers, it's focused more efforts on Android.

Other makers of Android phones include Motorola Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co.

Apple did not return messages seeking comment.
Source: http://asurl.net/9aP