Google and Samsung have reportedly signed a 10 year long-term
cross-licensing deal, taking into account their existing patents and the future
ones.
The two companies are popularly known for their association
over the Android operating system and have now signed the deal touted 'Mutually
Beneficial'. Although, these two technology companies did not reveal the exact
nature of patents covered under the new deal, they did not fall short of taking
pot shots at Apple for its alleged patent battle with Samsung, according to the
reports.
This deal will emerge as a mutual profit for both the
companies for a few reasons. First, the deal will bolster both Samsung and
Google’s patent positions against patent infringement allegations and
subsequent litigation from competitors, and specially Apple, which has been
involved for years in acrimonious, multinational patent battles of billions of
dollars against Samsung over Samsung’s Android-powered range of Galaxy smart
phones and tablets.
Second, it is a sign of how Google continues to put the
patents it gained from its $12.5 billion Motorola acquisition to good use
across the Android ecosystem. The ecosystem part is key here. Third, it makes
clear that even if Samsung potentially starts to look at ways of breaking away
from Android for more control of a mobile platform of its own (something it is
rumored to be planning) it will continue to cooperate with Google.
Samsung is the world's largest maker of popular consumer
electronics such as smart phones and televisions and other key tech components
such as memory chips for mobile phones and PCs. Google which is the world's
largest search company and maker of the most used mobile operating system,
Android, which has been moving to acquire hardware manufacturers such as
Motorola Mobility and Nest Labs.
These tech companies often use litigation to stop rivals from
using patents without permission but many of the disputes end in cross-licensing
agreements outside court.
In addition to Google, Samsung now
has deals in place with Microsoft, Nokia and Intellectual Ventures. As Samsung
and Apple have been embroiled in patent battle related to mobile technology
across the continents, the court has ordered the two companies to hold talks by
February 19 to try to resolve their issues before facing the jury in March.
Author : Iman Majeed Source : Samsung Tomorrow
0 comments:
Post a Comment