The company has already signed similar deals with brands like HTC, Samsung and Amazon.
Facing intense competition from Android-based devices, Microsoft has decided to adopt the patent deal strategy with brands selling Android products like smartphones, tablets and cameras.
And now according to a Zdnet report, the software giant has officially signed a patent-licensing agreement with Nikon for its Android camera. The agreement “provides broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for certain Nikon cameras running the Android platform,” as per Microsoft’s press release.
Although both parties have agreed not to share the details of the deal but Microsoft has said that it will be getting royalties from Nikon as part of the deal. The logic behind the technology centric patent deals from Microsoft is unclear.
Microsoft had earlier signed similar patent deals with Germany-based Hoeft & Wessel AG, manufacturer of devices and terminals that uses Android and also with TomTom, which is known for its GPS devices.
Microsoft has also signed deals with Amazon, Barnes & Noble, HTC, LG Electronics, Samsung among others, according to report.
The move behind charging OEMs for manufacturing Android-based devices is a clever move on Microsoft’s part. The company will be receiving royalties for use of patented-technology that only the details of the deal can disclose.
