[citation][nom]kartu[/nom]Oh really? Name a single software patent recognized in EU that is "infridged" by Android? You can't? Guess what: THERE AREN'T ANY. EU DOES NOT recognize software patents!!!Now, try to name a single MS patent, "infridged" in US. You can't? Oh, well guess what, Microsoft HAS NEVER PUBLICLY NAMED A SINGLE ONE.[/citation]
It doesn't need to name them as no patent lawsuit has been raised, MS has asked these companies to pay royalties and they have paid up.
Are you seriously suggesting that Samsung would just pay up for an "easy life" when they are in a bitter lawsuit with Apple over something a lot more frivilous involving rounded corners.
You don't know the inner workings of the licencing deal between them but I am prepared to bet the farm on Samsung knowing the MS own software aspects of Android and paying up because if it came to a lawsuit it would be a slamdunk for MS.
Google doesn't get involved in this because it doesn't "sell" Android, if they ever did then MS would be asking them for money too and wether you agree with software patents or not the simple fact is if MS were ever asked to prove that they created a string of 1's and 0's that did XYZ feature in Android you can bet they would have detailed files, thousands of man hours and millions of dollars of R&D budget to show it.
MS helped create Android - end of.