Ballmer: Googles Android Isnt Free

Microsoft chief says his rivals open source OS may carry hidden patent liabilities.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said rival Googles Android mobile platform, an open source operating system that doesnt come with licensing fees, isnt as free as the search giant would have users believe.
Android has a patent fee, said Ballmer, in an interview published Monday in The Wall Street Journal.
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Its not like Android is free. You do have to license patents. HTC has signed a license with us and youre going to see license fees clearly from Android as well as for Windows, said Ballmer.
Ballmer may have been making a veiled reference to the fact that his company claims to control patents that govern technology behind many open source software products—and that its not afraid to use the courts to determine the legitimacy of those patents.
Last week, Microsoft disclosed that it was suing Android handset maker Motorola for patent violations. The question now is whether Microsoft will go after Google itself over what it might claim are Microsoft patents embedded in Android.
All of this comes as Microsoft prepares to launch Windows Phone 7, which many analysts believe represents the companys last chance to establish itself as a player in the smartphone market. The company will formally introduce the mobile OS platform on Oct. 11, at a launch event in New York City.
Windows Phone 7 devices, from a list of Microsoft partners that includes HP, Samsung, LG, Toshiba, and Sony Ericcson, are expect to go on sale about a month later. AT&T and T-Mobile will reportedly be the U.S. network carriers.
RIM, with its Blackberry OS, holds the largest U.S. market share for mobile platforms, with a 39.3% stake as of July 30, according to market watcher Comscore. Apples iPhone is second, with a 23.8% share, followed by Googles 17% share. Microsoft was fourth, with an 11.8% stake.

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Ballmer: Googles Android Isnt Free