Google accuses Microsoft of "extortion" over patents

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Google accuses Microsoft of "extortion" over patents

The mobile phone patent spat between Microsoft and Google has descended into a mud-slinging match following yesterday's deal with Samsung.

That agreement means Samsung will pay a license fee for Microsoft patents that are used within Google's OS.

The situation, which bizarrely sees Microsoft profit from handsets built around Android, sparked an angry response from Google, which accused its rival of “extortion”.

“This is the same tactic we’ve seen time and again from Microsoft,” said a Google spokesperson in a statement.

“Failing to succeed in the smartphone market, it is resorting to legal measures to extort profit from others’ achievements and hinder the pace of innovation. We remain focused on building new technology and supporting Android partners.”

Microsoft fired back at Google through its head of communications' Twitter feed, suggesting the company was acting like a baby.

“Let me boil down the Google statement from 48 words to 1,” said Frank Shaw. “Waaaah.”

This article originally appeared at pcpro.co.uk

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