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Microsoft, Acer in patent licence deal

Microsoft has reached a patent licence agreement with Taiwan's leading computer maker that will cover tablets and smartphones powered by Android

Microsoft has reached a patent licence agreement with Acer, Taiwan's leading computer maker, that will cover tablet computers and smartphones powered by Google's Android platform.

"We are pleased that Acer is taking advantage of our industrywide licensing program established to help companies address Android's IP issues," Microsoft deputy general counsel, Horacio Gutierrez, said in a statement.

"This agreement is an example of how industry leaders can reach commercially reasonable arrangements that address intellectual property," Gutierrez said.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Patent lawsuits are a regular occurrence among technology giants and Google accused Apple, Oracle, Microsoft and other companies last month of using "bogus patents" to wage a legal campaign against its Android operating system.

Google purchased US smartphone maker Motorola Mobility last month for $US12.5 billion ($A11.75 billion), in part to build up its patent portfolio to defend Android against lawsuits from rivals.

Nominations for the 2012 ARN IT Industry Awards open on Tuesday, June 12.

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Tags: Acer, Android, business, Google Android, Microsoft, patent licence, patents, smartphones, tablets
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