[hecatae]

http://reg.cx/1PFt via @regvulture

in short:


The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has rejected 17 of 21 claims associated with one of the patents in Java that Oracle asserted Google had violated with Android.

and


US District Judge William Alsup wrote at the time that Oracle must narrow its claims against Google to a "triable number."

how long til it's thrown out?

[Hands0n]

Oh please let it be soon. Oracle, having bought up and near-ruined Sun already, are now turning to use Sun's patents in litigation to win large sums of money. In effect, they are turning into a latter day SCO (remember them?). It is frightening what a stifling effect a win in the courts would be if Oracle triumph.

Like you, I hope it is thrown out soon.

[hecatae]

http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2011/jun11/06-27ItronixPR.mspx


Microsoft Corp. and General Dynamics Itronix have signed a patent agreement that provides broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for General Dynamics Itronix devices running the Android platform. Although the contents of the agreement have not been disclosed, the parties indicate that Microsoft will receive royalties from General Dynamics Itronix under the agreement.

so first HTC, now General Dynamics, who next

[Ben]

I remember reading that Microsoft make more money out of Android royalties (where agreed) than Google do in licensing. Sorry state of affairs... the flows of money between all these companies must be bizarre, someone needs to make a graphic!

[hecatae]

Microsoft has lodged legal actions against Motorola claiming the Android-based Droid X and Droid 2, along with other handsets, violate nine of the company's software patents. Microsoft is also taking action against Barnes & Noble, Invetec, and Foxconn International over alleged patent infringements by the Android-based Nook e-reader sold by Barnes & Noble.

found the above, this is getting very messy

[Ben]

Will Ballmer's desperation take Microsoft down the road of patent troll? Hmm...

[gorilla]

I remember reading that Microsoft make more money out of Android royalties (where agreed) than Google do in licensing.

Check out this story: Microsoft may be making 5x as much from Android as from Windows Phone (http://venturebeat.com/2011/05/27/microsoft-android-revenue/)

The software giant has made five times as much from HTC’s Android phones as it has from its newly launched Windows Phones, according to calculations by Asymco’s Horace Dediu.
I imagine that over time, Windows phone will be a success, but they will need to get developers on board soon because as we know, it's all about the apps!

[hecatae]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/06/30/microsoft_signs_more_androids/


Onkyo Corp and Velocity Micro have each signed agreements with Redmond that will mean Microsoft receives royalties on Android tablets sold by the two companies.

Details of the agreements were not revealed, but it's standard practice for Microsoft to license part of its patent portfolio and agree to not to sue for infringement.

It's been quite a week for Microsoft in signing up Android OEMs. On Monday, General Dynamics Itronix agreed to pay Microsoft royalties on devices in return for the same "broad coverage under Microsoft's patent portfolio".

more here http://fosspatents.blogspot.com/2011/06/android-device-makers-sign-up-as.html