Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) continues to claim that Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) Android uses some of its patents. The world’s largest software company has used this leverage to get companies that use Android to sign licenses with it to protect them from legal action.

Microsoft got a big win in this ongoing effort, cutting a deal with the owner of Foxconn, one of the primary manufacturers for several smartphone firms, including Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL).

Microsoft said of the patent deal:

Microsoft Corp. and Hon Hai, the parent company of Foxconn, signed a worldwide patent licensing agreement that provides broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for devices running the Android and Chrome OS, including smartphones, tablets and televisions. While the contents of the agreement are confidential, the parties indicate that Microsoft will receive royalties from Hon Hai under the agreement. Hon Hai joins a growing list of contract manufacturing and original design manufacturing companies with Android and Chrome patent licenses.

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