Samsung and Google Sign Global Cross Patent License Agreement for 10 Years

It's always nice to make a friend and knowing that that friend has your back for the next 10 years isn't bad either. Samsung and Google have signed a deal to cross-license their existing patents and those created within the next 10 years. 

“We’re pleased to enter into a cross-license with our partner Samsung,” said Allen Lo, Deputy General Counsel for Patents at Google. “By working together on agreements like this, companies can reduce the potential for litigation and focus instead on innovation.”

By joining together Android, and some would say it's biggest OEM, are trying to take a bigger bite out of at least one of it's competitors.

“This agreement with Google is highly significant for the technology industry,” said Dr. Seungho Ahn, the Head of Samsung’s Intellectual Property Center. “Samsung and Google are showing the rest of the industry that there is more to gain from cooperating than engaging in unnecessary patent disputes.”

With Google already owning Motorola, it will be interesting to see if any other deals like this could be made with LG or ASUS. Baby steps first.