Electronics giants Microsoft and LG have signed a new patent agreement that will cover LG tablets, mobile phones and other devices running the Android operating system.
While terms of the deal have not been disclosed, the new agreement will join others penned by Microsoft and Samsung, HTC and Acer.
“Together with our 10 previous agreements with Android and Chrome OS device manufacturers, including HTC, Samsung and Acer, this agreement with LG means that more than 70% of all Android smartphones sold in the U.S. are now receiving coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio,” deputy general counsel of Intellectual Property at Microsoft, Horacio Gutierrez, said in a statement.
The move is only the latest attempt by electronics companies to control each other through patents. As more companies own patents covering other companies’ devices, the more money they earn through royalties.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
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