Foxconn, the world’s largest technology manufacturer has now officially become Microsoft’s number one Android and Chrome OS patent license, after penning a new deal with Redmond.
Microsoft owns a large number of crucial patents used in both Android and Chrome OS.
According to Ars Technica, Foxconn now plays an even more important role in Redmond’s patent licensing strategy than technology giants like Samsung, HTC, LG, Acer and Barnes & Noble.
The financial details of the new deal are not out yet — and probably will not be for quite some time.
But the Redmond-based technology titan will now receive money for every Android device made at Foxconn. Hon Hai, the parent company of Foxconn just announced that it signed a patent licensing deal with Microsoft.
Samuel Fu, the director of the Intellectual Property Department at Hon Hai said in a statement:
“Hon Hai is the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer that holds more than 54,000 patents worldwide.
We recognize and respect the importance of international efforts that seek to protect intellectual property. The licensing agreement with Microsoft represents those efforts and our continued support of international trade agreements that facilitate implementation of effective patent protection.”
This is an important new development, and Android OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) could very well see the additional costs passed onto them, increasing pressure in the Android world.
Foxconn is currently assembling 40 percent of the world’s technology devices — including iPhones and iPads, PlayStation 3, Wii U and countless others. The company has technology giants like Apple, Dell, Google, Sony, Toshiba and Microsoft on its customer list.
