Let’s all be honest, we’re quickly losing track of who is suing who and owns which patent. What is clear though, is just how much one company can make from the success of a competitor. According to a Goldman Sachs analysts, Microsoft will make $444 million (nearly £284 million) in revenue from Android handsets in 2012.
Yes, you read that right. These payments are made due to licence agreements for patents that Microsoft own and Android uses. Whilst the income isn’t massive in the grand Microsoft profit-pot, it does add a cost onto the Android OS for Google.
Google are already pretty pissed about the situation. They added a blog post last month which had an element of anger about it…
We’re not naive; technology is a tough and ever-changing industry and we work very hard to stay focused on our own business and make better products. But in this instance we thought it was important to speak out and make it clear that we’re determined to preserve Android as a competitive choice for consumers, by stopping those who are trying to strangle it.
Now Google has taken the gloves off, with a Google spokesman telling the Telegraph that …
This is the same tactic we’ve seen time and again from Microsoft. Failing to succeed in the smartphone market, they are resorting to legal measures to extort profit from others’ achievements and hinder the pace of innovation. We remain focused on building new technology and supporting Android partners.
Those are some pretty tough words. I’ve seen Microsoft and watched their mobile offerings over the last few years. Whilst their handsets aren’t nearly as successful as other OS’s, it shows just how successful Microsoft are becoming off the back of Android.
Links – The Telegraph – BizJournals
