Microsoft has added another original device manufacturer (ODM) to its list of companies making Android and Chrome OS devices who are licensing publicly unspecified Microsoft patent technologies.
The deal covers Qisda and BenQ devices, including smartphones and tablets, that run Android and Chrome OS.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, beyond the fact that Microsoft will receive royalties from Qisda as part of the agreement.
Quisda "provides ODM/OEM of electronic products and hardware-software integration for consumer, commercial, industrial, medical & lifestyle applications," according to the company's Web site.
Microsoft has signed close to two dozen similar Android licensing deals with other ODMs, including Hon Hai, Pegatron, Quanta Computer, Compal Electronics and Wistron, as well as OEms including Samsung, LG Electronics, ZTE and HTC.
The entity at Microsoft which is charged with handling Microsoft's patent portfolio, including these Android-related licensing deals is Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC, which was founded in 2014.
ZDNet
