Apple has offered both Motorola and Samsung licensing deals that would settle some pending litigation in exchange for royalty payments, reports Dow Jones Newswires.
Apple isn't attempting to offer patent licenses to all its competitors or create a royalty business, one person familiar with the matter said. However, some people familiar with the situation see more reason for Apple to consider legal settlements, following a mix of legal victories and setbacks against smartphone makers that use Google Inc.'s Android mobile operating system.
Apple has reportedly been asking for between $5 and $15 per handset or 1% to 2.5% of net sales per device. Motorola was recently criticized for asking for 2.25% of net sales per device from Apple.
Licensing fees could add cost to Android development making it less appealing for manufacturers. Microsoft has already successfully forced Samsung, HTC, Acer, and ViewSonic to pay royalty fees for the use of Android.
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Comments (8)
Comments are closed for this article.
0
justabrake - March 7, 2012 at 1:18am
It won't be long when google starts charging money
0
justabrake - March 6, 2012 at 10:38pm
When is all this going to come to an end? I'm tired of all these lawsuits and litigation over old licenses; it is holding back new development.
0
Another Reason - March 6, 2012 at 9:31pm
Apple should focus on making their products better than the competition instead of focusing on licensing deals and litigation.
0
John - March 6, 2012 at 9:45pm
They are doing this to settle the lawsuits.
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Another Reason - March 6, 2012 at 9:57pm
Before you criticize, look at the facts. Apple initiated many lawsuits over features like slide to unlock. Other companies countersued to protect their interests. Now, after numerous lawsuits, Apple is offering a deal to settle: they stop the litigation in exchange for royalty payments on every device sold. It's a strategic move.
0
Ios5.1 - March 6, 2012 at 10:00pm
Microsoft already does this. They get money for every android sold
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3ed7a0c - March 7, 2012 at 5:34am
Please hold your breath until Android goes away, I know who will be gone first..... As for playing with the big boys, wait until the Apple/Nokia argument comes to fruition. You seem to ignore the fact that Apple hasn't actually invented anything, more used existing technologies in an inventive/stylish and desirable way (which is good) at the same time ignoring other companies patents and agressively protecting their own. It is clearly apparentfrom available records that Apples patents overwhelmingly relate to ideas and concepts rather than actual creations and inventions.
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Tom - March 7, 2012 at 3:31pm
Get the facts straight: Nokia first filed a lawsuit against Apple for the original iPhone, then Samsung followed regarding the iPad, then Motorola. There were several other companies involved as well.
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