There was some ambiguity about this morning’s patent agreement between HTC and Microsoft because it pertained to some Android phones. But, in a statement e-mailed to IntoMobile, it’s clear that Microsoft is trying to protect the handset maker from legal entanglements from the likes of Apple.
According to Horacio Gutierrez, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel of Intellectual Property and Licensing at Microsoft:
“Microsoft has a decades-long record of investment in software platforms. As a result, we have built a significant patent portfolio in this field, and we have a responsibility to our customers, partners, and shareholders to ensure that competitors do not free ride on our innovations. We have also consistently taken a proactive approach to licensing to resolve IP infringement by other companies, and have been talking with several device manufacturers to address our concerns relative to the Android mobile platform.”
HTC is pretty much where it is because of its Windows Mobile phones and Microsoft knows it has been a good partner, even if it is now pushing into Android territory with handsets like the EVO 4G. This deal could give HTC some of its own ammo in the Apple case, or at the very least, help it negotiate a better licensing deal with the iPhone maker. By doing this, Microsoft makes an undisclosed amount of money, potentially damages one of its most hated rival and shows strong support for one of its business partners.
The interesting thing about this deal is that it could help Google’s Android a lot. HTC is undoubtedly the premier Android handset maker at the moment and this intellectual property agreement will give it more cover to continue to innovate in this area. Of course, Microsoft may have earned some major brownie points with the handset maker (depending on how much the licensing fees were) and that could come in handy as the software giant has a new mobile operating system on the horizon. HTC has already promised to make a Windows Phone 7 handset, but it’s nice to have talented friends potentially owe you a favor.