It seems that Microsoft really has copied Apple in its treatment of the smartphone maker Samsung.
According to a company blog, Microsoft is suing Samsung over its version of Android software in the Southern District of New York.
David Howard, Vole’s Deputy General Counsel said that Microsoft did not take lightly filing a legal action, especially against a company with which it had enjoyed a long and productive partnership. However it appears the pair have fallen out.
“ After spending months trying to resolve our disagreement, Samsung has made clear in a series of letters and discussions that we have a fundamental disagreement as to the meaning of our contract,” he wrote.
Microsoft said that Samsung voluntarily entered into a legally binding contract with Microsoft to cross-license IP which was extremely beneficial for both parties.
Since Samsung entered into the agreement, its smartphone sales have quadrupled and it is now the leading worldwide player in the smartphone market and decided late last year to stop complying with its agreement with Microsoft.
When Vole bought Nokia Devices and Services business, Samsung began using the acquisition as an excuse to breach its contract, Howard alleged.
He added that Microsoft and Samsung had a long history of collaboration. Microsoft values and respects its partnership with Samsung and expects it to continue. It is simply asking the Court to settle the disagreement, and is confident the contract will be enforced.
