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Comment by afsina | Hacker News Reader

Well, MS is still extorting money from android vendors using os related patents.

That's completely irrelevant. But "extorting" is more than a BIT of a stretch. They've got valid patents that Android handset makers need. Just like they need licensing to even put a cellular modem in the phone in the first place.

If you honestly think Samsung would willingly hand over $10-15 per handset over bunk patents, I've got some oceanfront property in Arizona you might be interested in.

Many of those patents are directly targeting Linux and all are BS. Samsung earns enough money so that they chose not to enter multi billion dollar gambit where law protects BS software patents.

A quick look at the list tells me you don't know what you're talking about. First one: using cell network and GPS for more accurate positioning.

That has nothing to do with Linux or Android directly, and everything to do with ANY CELLPHONE.

Where is this list ?

http://images.mofcom.gov.cn/pep/201404/20140408143159274.doc...

Any chance this is available as a pdf ?

Lots of companies have "valid patents" that are bullshit and not particularly innovative but they don't use them to attack other companies when they can't compete. See Google for example, they only use patents defensively.

Oh, maybe but I don't see what any of that has to do with the topic at hand.

These patents aren't being used passively. They are being used for royalties. And Samsung wouldn't pay the royalty unless there was a strong legal case.

Exactly, they are being used offensively to rent seek. Not defensively (only used to sue companies that sue you).

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