2 ms·

Is it every device? I haven't been able to find a good overview that lists companies that have signed on and companies that haven't, or details on the specific

by mkr-hn 14y ago

Is it every device? I haven't been able to find a good overview that lists companies that have signed on and companies that haven't, or details on the specific patents. I couldn't speculate on what might have been without more information.

JoshTriplett 14y ago
Set your spin filters to maximum and try this Microsoft article from last year: https://blogs.technet.com/b/microsoft_on_the_issues/archive/2011/10/23/microsoft-s-new-patent-agreement-with-compal-a-new-milestone-for-our-android-licensing-program.aspx?Redirected=true https://blogs.technet.com/b/microsoft_on_the_issues/archive/... I think they've sued a few more vendors into joining since then.
- mkr-hn 14y ago
  I don't see much in the way of details. It looks like a blanket license, which isn't a bad thing if Microsoft has something other companies want. By that understanding, a licensee could use Metro or something derived from it. My understanding is that patent-related legal services are extremely expensive. A few dollars per device is easier to deal with than months of patent research every time a manufacturer wants to change something. Especially if a company with patents has one the manufacturer wants to use.
  - JoshTriplett 14y ago
    > It looks like a blanket license, which isn't a bad thing if Microsoft has something other companies want. "Not getting sued" should not need to be a product. > My understanding is that patent-related legal services are extremely expensive. A few dollars per device is easier to deal with than months of patent research every time a manufacturer wants to change something. As I said, I don't want to grade on a curve. Both of those options suck.
  - spinchange 14y ago
    If only settling with Microsoft indemnified ODMs from future litigation risk! This is not about providing a cheap alternative to patent-related legal services, it's about a dynastic enterprise using the threat of a flawed patent system against it's partners and former partners to regain lost competitive advantage in the market place! The silver lining is still a silver lining just for Microsoft. Sales of Windows phone 7 speak for themselves (and the ODMs)

by mkr-hn 14y ago

JoshTriplett 14y ago

Set your spin filters to maximum and try this Microsoft article from last year: https://blogs.technet.com/b/microsoft_on_the_issues/archive/2011/10/23/microsoft-s-new-patent-agreement-with-compal-a-new-milestone-for-our-android-licensing-program.aspx?Redirected=true https://blogs.technet.com/b/microsoft_on_the_issues/archive/... I think they've sued a few more vendors into joining since then.

mkr-hn 14y ago
I don't see much in the way of details. It looks like a blanket license, which isn't a bad thing if Microsoft has something other companies want. By that understanding, a licensee could use Metro or something derived from it. My understanding is that patent-related legal services are extremely expensive. A few dollars per device is easier to deal with than months of patent research every time a manufacturer wants to change something. Especially if a company with patents has one the manufacturer wants to use.
- JoshTriplett 14y ago
  > It looks like a blanket license, which isn't a bad thing if Microsoft has something other companies want. "Not getting sued" should not need to be a product. > My understanding is that patent-related legal services are extremely expensive. A few dollars per device is easier to deal with than months of patent research every time a manufacturer wants to change something. As I said, I don't want to grade on a curve. Both of those options suck.
- spinchange 14y ago
  If only settling with Microsoft indemnified ODMs from future litigation risk! This is not about providing a cheap alternative to patent-related legal services, it's about a dynastic enterprise using the threat of a flawed patent system against it's partners and former partners to regain lost competitive advantage in the market place! The silver lining is still a silver lining just for Microsoft. Sales of Windows phone 7 speak for themselves (and the ODMs)