Microsoft has signed a new agreement with a maker of Android-based devices. In a press release this morning, Microsoft revealed that LG is now the newest company to reach a deal with Microsoft over patents that cover "LG’s tablets, mobile phones and other consumer devices running the Android or Chrome OS Platform." As usual, the specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Microsoft made patent agreements with 10 Android-based smartphone and tablet makers over the past year, including Samsung, HTC and others. These agreements usually mean that Microsoft gets money from the sale of every Android-based product made by those companies where it has secured patent deals.
In its press release, Horacio Gutierrez, the corporate vice president and deputy general counsel, Intellectual Property Group at Microsoft, said that, " ... this agreement with LG means that more than 70 percent of all Android smartphones sold in the U.S. are now receiving coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio."
LG also made smartphones that were based on Microsoft"s Windows Phone 7 operating system, although so far it has declined to launched one based on the new Windows Phone 7.5 (otherwise known as Mango) update.