Samsung to pay Microsoft royalties over Android

Samsung is to start paying Microsoft royalties for every sale of its smartphone and tablet computers that run the rival Google Android platform, according to the BBC News.

Microsoft has long accused Android of violating its patents.

Google said its US rival Microsoft was "resorting to legal measures to extort profit from others' achievements and hinder the pace of innovation".

Google said Microsoft was resorting to "the same tactic we've seen time and again". It added: "We remain focused on building new technology and supporting Android partners."

Technology analyst Per Roman, of independent research house GP Bullhound, said he was not surprised by the Samsung-Microsoft announcement.

"Many people have long said that Android contains some Microsoft technology," he said. "Ultimately we are in the area of IP [intellectual property] wars. There is now an intense battle among the technology giants regarding their IP portfolios."

Samsung has also received help from T-Mobile in its continuing legal battle with Apple.

Samsung and Apple are facing each other in courts around the world as they wrangle over patents used in smartphones and tablets.

Apple has applied for an injunction that would stop Samsung selling many of its products in the US. A hearing on the injunction is scheduled for 13 October.

Now T-Mobile has filed papers with the court saying any ban would bring "unnecessarily harm" to it and its customers because it would not be able to find alternative products before the busy holiday season.

T-Mobile's backing for Samsung follows support from Verizon which earlier this week said legal rows over who owns which patent should not hamper the flow of future devices.