Microsoft Gets More Royalty Money from Google with Pegatron Patent Agreement

Microsoft and Pegatron just signed a patent agreement aimed at Google’s Android and Chrome devices, putting more royalty money into Microsoft’s already burgeoning patent portfolio pockets. Pegatron joins HTC, Samsung, LG and a number of other companies already part of Microsoft’s stable, bringing the count to over 70% of Android makers paying royalty fees to Microsoft.

Microsoft Corp. and Pegatron Corp. have signed a patent agreement that provides coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for a broad array of Pegatron products including eReaders, smartphones and tablets running the Android or Chrome platforms. Although the contents of the agreement have not been disclosed, the parties indicate that Microsoft will receive royalties from Pegatron under the agreement.

“We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Pegatron and proud of the continued success of our Android licensing program in resolving IP issues surrounding Android and Chrome devices in the marketplace,” said Horacio Gutierrez, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel, Intellectual Property Group at Microsoft. “With this agreement, Microsoft has now licensed four of the top five Taiwanese ODMs.”

Microsoft’s patent buying spree continues and, at this rate, it shows no signs of slowing down considering some of their recent acquisitions. Google certainly can’t be happy about the money they’re forking over to Microsoft, and Pegatron may not be the last company to sign with Microsoft before the year is out.

[via Engadget]