Read about this here: http://www.infoworld.com/d/mobile-technology/zte-agrees-android-chrome-patent-licensing-microsoft-217176
the tl;dr: Microsoft has inked an agreement with China's ZTE for its Android and Chrome patent licensing program.
It seems that as far as we know, "Financial details of deal were not disclosed. But the agreement gives ZTE access to Microsoft patents covering phones, tablets, computers, and other devices running Google's Android and Chrome operating systems."
There are many other companies that also signed with Microsoft's licensing program, which is meant to help these gadget vendors and avoid further lawsuits with Microsoft.
Something like 80% of Android smartphones sold in the US and worldwide are under agreements with Microsoft.
Interestingly enough, China's Huawei, the world's 3rd largest smartphone vendor, and Google/Motorola haven't signed with Microsoft.
I think that this could result in some interesting cliques in the future. Google and Huawei are both huge firms, so they could probably stand their own against Microsoft. Perhaps there are other reasons for them not signing on but we'll have to see about that!
I guess i didn't know Both Android and Chrome are Google-developed operating systems. It's strange then that Microsoft says the two operating systems also use technologies patented by the company. Previously, Microsoft has filed lawsuits against Android device makers for patent infringement.
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