Microsoft, Samsung sign cross licensing agreement
In a move seen by many as an attempt to challenge Apple and Google's dominance in the smartphone market, Microsoft has signed a cross licensing agreement with Samsung Electronics to share patents.
Under the agreement, Microsoft will receive royalties for mobile phones and tablets built by Samsung that use Google's Android operating system. There are also plans to cooperate on the development and marketing of Microsoft's mobile software, Windows Phone.
Smartphones with Microsoft's revamped Windows Phone 7 software have struggled to compete with the iPhone and Android based devices.
In a statement to the TechCrunch, Google responded: "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."