Samsung and Google has signed a 10 year global patent cross-license agreement that would cover technologies and business areas. This will strengthen their patent position against patent infringement against other, especially Apple. Back in 2012, Samsung paid $1.05 billion to Apple in damages for infringing several patents owned by Apple.
Google acquired Motorola Mobility in 2012, in which it acquired over 17000 patents owned by the company. The new deal with Samsung would let them access to these patent portfolios. This collaboration would improve the research and development of current and future products and technologies of both these companies.
Google already has patent agreements with Microsoft, Nokia and Intellectual Ventures.
Regarding the deal, Allen Lo, Deputy General Counsel for Patents at Google, said,
We’re pleased to enter into a cross-license with our partner Samsung. By working together on agreements like this, companies can reduce the potential for litigation and focus instead on innovation.
Dr. Seungho Ahn, the Head of Samsung’s Intellectual Property Center, said
This agreement with Google is highly significant for the technology industry. Samsung and Google are showing the rest of the industry that there is more to gain from cooperating than engaging in unnecessary patent disputes.