Report: Microsoft wants $15 from Samsung for every Android handset made

Microsoft has demanded that Samsung pay a $15 patent royalty for every Android handset it produces, and a Windows Phone version of the very successful Galaxy S II Android phone is under consideration, according to two separate reports.

Microsoft has reportedly trained its Android patent guns on Samsung Electronics, demanding $15 for every Android-based handset the Korean manufacturer produces. If true, this could be the highest fee demanded by Redmond for its Android patents so far. Microsoft is reportedly getting royalties of $5 per Android device from Taiwanese mobile device giant HTC.

Microsoft and HTC have signed a patent agreement protecting the handset maker from Microsoft patent lawsuits over its industry-leading Android smartphones. HTC will have to pay royalties to Microsoft, which for the first time is enforcing its alleged Linux-related patents on an Android-based product, but the agreement could help it defend against a lawsuit from Apple....

Microsoft is raking in $5 for every Android handset HTC sells thanks to a lucrative patent settlement, according to Citi analyst Walter Pritchard.

Microsoft and Samsung have signed an agreement to cross-license their patent portfolios, providing broad coverage for each company's products. Microsoft will receive royalties for Samsung's Android-powered mobile phones, and the companies have agreed to focus on further development and marketing of Windows-powered smartphones.

Microsoft has continued to push its patent claims into Android territory by signing a patent agreement with General Dynamics' rugged device subsidiary Itronix. The agreement provides broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for Android devices, says Microsoft....

In a move that has left me speechless, Microsoft has signed a deal with HTC that will see the handset maker pay the Redmond giant a royalty in order to be able to be able to run the Android platform on its handsets.

Microsoft on Tuesday announced that it has signed a patent agreement with HTC covering the phone maker's Android-based devices, and it's talking with other phone vendors as well about its "concerns" regarding Google's mobile operating platform.

As we reported before, over 900 million Android-powered smartphones have been activated since the platform’s debut in 2007. While its no surprise that Samsung leads the herd over HTC, LG and Sony (among other competitors), it may come as a shock just how much they dominate by.