Will Samsung and Microsoft do gadgets together?

Samsung Electronics and Microsoft have entered into a patent cross-license agreement in the field of consumer electronics. This agreement means that companies now have legal access to each other’s existing patent databases, as well as to future inventions in the field of personal computers, televisions, digital recorders and media players. This transaction stands out from among similar ones, because the South Korean company consistently ranks among the leaders in the number of new patents in the US (last year it won first place).

Financial conditions were not disclosed, but in a joint press release, the companies report that as a result of the transaction, both Microsoft and Samsung will receive royalties for current and future inventions. In addition, the deal will speed up the process of developing new devices.

According to experts, the deal will help Microsoft improve the Zune player, Xbox and other portable devices. In addition, the transaction may affect the intellectual property in the field of Linux, which Microsoft likes to trump since the conclusion of the corresponding pact with Novell. Scared hardware manufacturers who plan to release devices on Linux are now queuing for Microsoft's “indulgence”.
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via AP , UPI