Software giant Microsoft has introduced an interesting intellectual property licensing program in December 2003. Since then, the IT company has signed more than 600 agreements that give partners and competitors the possibility to use its IT services and IT products. Such an agreement was signed on Tuesday with IT company HTC, so that the company would have a license for its patent portfolio for HTC's Android based phones. Microsoft VP and deputy general counsel Horacio Gutierrez said that "HTC and Microsoft have a long history of technical and commercial collaboration, and today's agreement is an example of how industry leaders can reach commercial arrangements that address intellectual property. We are pleased to continue our collaboration with HTC. Microsoft has a decades-long record of investment in software platforms. As a result, we have built a significant patent portfolio in this field, and we have a responsibility to our customers, partners, and shareholders to ensure that competitors do not free ride on our innovations." HTC has made this move in order to have a better legal position as it defends against Apple's patent lawsuit.
