Samsung and Google signed Global Patent Agreement

Google Inc and Samsung Electronics Co signed an agreement to cross-licence their global patents. This agreement was signed to reduce the risk of costly legal disputes over intellectual property on 26 January 2014. This agreement would also foster greater collaboration between the two technique giants.

As per Samsung, the Seoul-based company the deal between the two giants also covers the patents to be filed over the next 10 years as well as existing patents. The deal does not cover every patents held by both the companies. Samsung and Google work closely as Google’s Android mobile operating system is used by Samsung.

Both the companies did not disclose the financial consideration that will be paid/considered for the use of each other’s patents.

Apart from this, Samsung also reached an agreement with Ericsson on global patent licences related to GSM, UMTS and LTE standards for both networks and handsets on 27 January 2014. As per the agreement, Samsung will pay the telecom equipment maker Ericsson about 4.2 billion Swedish Kronas (over 650 million dollars) to settle patent-related disputes, including royalties.

Background: The telephone industry giant Samsung has been into a range of disputes related to patents with its rival Apple in the business of smartphones. Google and Apple are also fighting a patent battle that involves Motorola Mobility that was acquired by Google in 2012. Rockstar Consortium (a patent owner) formed by Apple and other companies, has sued Samsung, Google and other companies who are involved in Android. This is a part of the patent lawsuits that has seen an increase in past half decades due to the expansion of use of tablets and smartphones globally.