In a rare move, Microsoft has announced a patent licensing deal with HTC which will allow HTC to use Microsoft patents for Android mobile platform handsets. In return, Microsoft will get undisclosed amount of money for every phone HTC will sell. Just two months back, Apple filed a patent infringing case against HTC that was targeted indirectly at Google.  This deal can help HTC to make their patent case against Apple even and also they can use Microsoft’s pool of patents without fear of getting sued.

This may sound straight to you but there is more to it than what meets the eye. It’s not about HTC and Microsoft coming together but it’s just another chapter in the battle between three big giants Apple, Google and Microsoft. Microsoft and Apple a long time rival, Google and Apple rivalry getting uglier day by day. Microsoft is actually helping Google out here but off-course they are going to earn money from every Nexus One that Google sells as a royalty. Who have ever thought that Microsoft earning money from Google products? Strange

Microsoft also wants to revive their mobile OS presence with Windows Phone 7 and wants to take on iPhone and Android. In one of the posts published on CNET, which says that Microsoft is claiming that the Android is infringing on its patents. Ina Fried from CNET writes

Microsoft has taken the position, according to those close to the company, that Android infringes on the company’s patented technology and that the infringement applies broadly in areas ranging from the user interface to the underlying operating system.

Mobile phone war is getting interesting!

Image Credits: OnlyGizmos