Microsoft sues Kyocera over alleged patent infringement violations

Microsoft filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against smartphone maker Kyocera late on Friday, claiming that the Japanese-based company has violated seven patents that are owned by Microsoft.

According to Reuters, Microsoft says that Kyocera's Android smartphones use patents that are owned by the folks at Redmond, including ones relating to location services and text messaging. Microsoft has made patent licensing deals with nearly every Android device maker. The story quotes Microsoft deputy general counsel David Howard as saying, "We respect Kyocera but we believe they need to license the patented technology they are using. We're hopeful this case can be resolved amicably,"

In addition to the lawsuit, Microsoft is also asking the court to place a US sales injunction on Kyocera's smartphones that are allegedly using Microsoft's patents. So far, Kyocera has yet to respond to Microsoft's legal action. Ironically, Kyocera showed off a prototype smartphone with Microsoft's Windows Phone 8.1 installed at this week's Mobile World Congress trade show. We are guessing this new legal action by Microsoft doesn't bode well for the near future release of any Windows-based devices by Kyocera.

Source: Reuters