Microsoft Makes $2 Billion From Android Every Year From Patent Royalties




/ 11 years ago

Microsoft-Redmond

Android may be one of Microsoft’s biggest rivals when it comes to fighting it out in the global computing market, yet Microsoft still manages to make money out of Android in a strange way according to Business Insider. We all know that Android are putting Microsoft under pressure – they are outselling Microsoft’s products dramatically in the tablet and smartphone markets and Android is even beginning to take hold in the desktop market too. Yet not many people know that Microsoft earns patent royalties on 70% of Android devices that are sold around the world each year. The report by Business Insider says Microsoft makes, on average, $5 per Android device sold by the likes of HTC, Acer, ViewSonic, Samsung, LG and Barnes & Noble. This $5 is made up purely of patent royalties.  It isn’t specifically disclosed which patents Microsoft use to generate this revenue but one thing is for sure, with the acquisition of Nokia’s handset division earlier on this year Microsoft accumulated a large number of additional patents it can apply to the smartphone market and we will no doubt see Microsoft vigorously enforce those to continue reaping the rewards from Android’s success.

Image courtesy of Nethope.org


Topics: , , , , ,

Support eTeknix.com

By supporting eTeknix, you help us grow and continue to bring you the latest newsreviews, and competitions. Follow us on FacebookTwitter and Instagram to keep up with the latest technology news, reviews and more. Share your favourite articles, chat with the team and more. Also check out eTeknix YouTube, where you'll find our latest video reviews, event coverage and features in 4K!

Looking for more exciting features on the latest technology? Check out our What We Know So Far section or our Fun Reads for some interesting original features.

eTeknix Facebook eTeknix Twitter eTeknix Instagram eTeknix Instagram
  • Be Social With eTeknix

    Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Reddit RSS Discord Patreon TikTok Twitch
  • Features


Send this to a friend
})