Rich Fiscus
29 Sep 2011 14:06
According to a Samsung representative, Samsung's decision to enter into a patent licensing deal with Microsoft was intended to protect them from Apple.
The deal, announced yesterday, gives Microsoft and Samsung each access to the other's patents. It was accompanied by a commitment from Samsung to continue producing Windows Phone handsets.
An unnamed source within Samsung explained the company's concerns to the Korea Times, saying, "Samsung knows it can't rely on Google. We've decided to address Android IP issues on our own."
Google has made a push recently to increase their patent pool in an effort to defend Android from patent claims, including a recent agreement to purchase Motorola's phone division for $12.5 billion. But that hasn't stemmed the tide of patent infringement lawsuits, particularly from Apple.
Samsung's deal with Microsoft, as well as a new initiative to develop a separate Linux-based mobile OS with Intel, seem to indicate how fragile the relationship between Google and handset makers might be.
Since losing a bid to buy Nortel patents to a consortium which includes Apple, Microsoft, and Sony, Google has been criticized for not supporting the Android ecosystem. Their decision to buy Motorola Mobility, putting them in direct competition with their partners, likely hasn't helped.
As one of the biggest electronic components providers in the world, Samsung's interests don't line up particularly well with Google's either. Defending themselves against patent lawsuits isn't the only cost to Samsung in their battle with Apple.
At the start of their worldwide patent war, earlier this year, Samsung was a major supplier of components for Apple devices. The legal fight has put a strain on relationships between the two companies.