[http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/09/microsoftmoney.jpg](http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/28/microsoft-and-samsung-sitting-in-a-tree-patent-s-h-a-r-i-n-g/)
Microsoft put on its nicest suit when it invited Samsung to the [patent-licensing barn dance](http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/06/flush-with-success-microsoft-hopes-samsung-will-be-its-next-and/). Whatever it whispered as the two snuggled close during the slow jams about rescuing the Korean giant from the quagmire of [Android litigation](http://www.engadget.com/tag/android,lawsuit), it worked. Sammy has entered into a deal to license Redmond's vast patent archive and, if the rumors are to be believed, it will pay $15 per handset sold for the privilege. (No word on if that includes the $45 million in fees that would just cover sales of the [Galaxy S II.](http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/28/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review/)) This seems like it could be an implicit vote of no-confidence concerning [Google's](http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/03/google-responds-to-apples-htc-lawsuit-we-stand-behind-our-and/) promises that [its acquisition of Motorola](http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/15/google-acquiring-motorola-mobility/) would make courtroom drama a thing of the past. There's also a strong reference to the pair collaborating on [Mango](http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/27/windows-phone-7-5-mango-in-depth-preview-video/), and we can only assume that it comes with a significantly less punitive licensing charge in place. Between [Android](http://www.engadget.com/tag/android/), [Windows Phone](http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/20/windows-phone-7-review/), [Bada](http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/samsung-taking-bada-open-source-in-2012/) and [Tizen](http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/28/meego-to-be-folded-into-linux-based-tizen-os-slated-to-arrive-i/), it's clear Samsung is hedging its operating system bets. There's a press release after the break, but take our word on it, at no point does it mention Steve Ballmer, lying naked on a bed of money, laughing to himself.
Continue reading Microsoft and Samsung sitting in a tree, patent s-h-a-r-i-n-g
Microsoft and Samsung sitting in a tree, patent s-h-a-r-i-n-g originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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