Microsoft To Sue Kyocera Over New Android Patent Infringement

It wasn't too long ago when it felt like all the big smartphone players, like Google, Apple, Samsung, and Microsoft, were involved in lawsuits and countersuits against each other over patents. Well, a new one is popping up, this time involving Japan's Kyocera. Microsoft filed a lawsuit last week against Kyocera for infringing on several patents with its Android-powered smartphones. Microsoft has mentioned that it's hoping to find an amicable solution, but the suit is seeking financial damages.

The three smartphone lines from Kyocera targeted by the suit are the Duraforce, Hydro, and Brigadier. It's not clear how much Microsoft is asking for in terms of damages and royalties, however if Kyocera doesn't cooperate, there is the request for an injunction to prevent those devices from being sold in the U.S.

Microsoft is arguing that the three lines of Kyocera phones infringe on seven patents, such as features for location tracking and text messaging. The patents are said to have not used in any of Microsoft's previous dispute cases, and also include technologies for battery life, power-saving, motion sensing, and accelerometers.

This appears to be the latest in a line of attempts from Microsoft to collect royalties from smartphone manufacturers, based on their claims that Google's Android operating system infringes on several patents. Microsoft has reached licensing deals with HTC and LG, with Samsung being the latest, and the company says that some 80% of Android devices sold in the U.S. are covered by such agreements.

VIA GeekWire

SOURCE Reuters