If we needed any more proof that Samsung was the top dog in Android, we just got it.
Google and Samsung have arrived at a “Global Patent Cross-License Agreement”, which will allow the two companies to share tech free from the worries of patent litigation through the year 2024.
As Samsung is the number one manufacturer of Android devices, it’s in Google’s interest to keep them happy, however Sammy could get more of a benefit from this agreement, as it would likely give them access to the treasure trove of patents Google received in their Motorola acquisition. Having access to that intellectual property could be a significant benefit to a company which is also examining the possibility of releasing their own mobile operating system which would become a competitor to Android.
While it probably wasn’t likely that Google would ever take Samsung to court or vice versa, an explicit cooperation agreement between these two companies has to be good for consumers. The short official press release is below.
Samsung and Google Sign Global Patent License Agreement
Samsung Electronics and Google Inc. furthered their long-term cooperative partnership with a global patent cross-license agreement covering a broad range of technologies and business areas. The mutually beneficial agreement covers the two companies’ existing patents as well as those filed over the next 10 years.
“We’re pleased to enter into a cross-license with our partner Samsung,” said Allen Lo, Deputy General Counsel for Patents at Google. “By working together on agreements like this, companies can reduce the potential for litigation and focus instead on innovation.”
With this agreement, Samsung and Google gain access to each other’s industry-leading patent portfolios, paving the way for deeper collaboration on research and development of current and future products and technologies.
“This agreement with Google is highly significant for the technology industry,” said Dr. Seungho Ahn, the Head of Samsung’s Intellectual Property Center. “Samsung and Google are showing the rest of the industry that there is more to gain from cooperating than engaging in unnecessary patent disputes.”