Barney's Blog

Blog archive

Redmond vs. Android

Microsoft isn't just fighting Google's Android in the market (a battle that will heat up with the release of Windows Mobile 7), it may also wage a patent war in the courts.

Microsoft has patents upon which Android apparently infringes. Microsoft reached an agreement with phone-maker HTC which releases them from patent action.

This deal legitimizes, to some degree, the Microsoft patents, making it easier for Redmond to press its case against Android creator Google -- which I'm sure they'd love to do.

These cases may be legit, but they can also harm users as royalties drive up prices and sometimes good technologies are yanked. And if a patent war ensues, I'm sure Google has plenty to pester Microsoft with.

Are patents an evil that only harms customers or a necessary protection for true inventions? Send your thoughts, royalty-free, to [email protected].

Posted by Doug Barney on May 03, 2010


Featured

  • Windows Server 2025 Now Generally Available

    Microsoft's next-gen server platform, Windows Server 2025, is now ready for production environments, the company announced Monday.

  • Microsoft Takes Wraps Off 'Modernized' Windows Hello

    Windows 11 users will see a new and improved Windows Hello interface, Microsoft said recently.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2024 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Is Microsoft 365 Copilot Worth It? SMBs Count the Ways

    For organizations using the right Microsoft 365 SKUs, the Copilot add-on costs an additional $30 per user per month. According to a recent Forrester survey of over 250 SMBs worldwide, it's worth it.

Most   Popular