I don't think the US commentators are confused, it's just easier to say "Microsoft bought Nokia" vs. "Microsoft bought Nokia's devices division and licensed the

I don't think the US commentators are confused, it's just easier to say "Microsoft bought Nokia" vs. "Microsoft bought Nokia's devices division and licensed their patents". For the average Joe, Nokia made phones, and Microsoft bought that part of Nokia, resulting in "Microsoft bought Nokia". You're arguing semantics when the people who care get it, and the people who don't care, don't need to know the difference.