Microsoft and Oracle vs Android. There's always something brewing!!!

Another snippet of news I came across......

Android's rise to dominance as a smartphone/tablet OS has reshaped the mobile OS market--but recent actions by both Microsoft and Oracle could damage the operating system's appeal. Oracle and Google are locked in an ongoing lawsuit over Android's alleged infringement on certain Java-related patents, while both Oracle and Microsoft are negotiating licensing agreements with Android device manufacturers.


While this is an ongoing situation, pressure has mounted in recent weeks. Last week, news broke that Microsoft has demanded Samsung pay it $15 per Android device. The deal is similar to one the software giant reached with HTC last year; that handset manufacturer pays Microsoft $5 per Android product. Microsoft has signed similar deals, albeit with smaller companies and for undisclosed sums of money. These agreements are only the most recent developments in what's been a litigious year; Redmond is currently suing both Barnes & Noble and Motorola over their own Android products as well.

Oracle, meanwhile, has done an end run around Google and has raised the issue to handset manufacturers directly. At this point, the conversation is reportedly friendly—Oracle has allegedly asked manufacturers to pay $15-$20 to join an early adopters' program—but the database giant is known for playing hardball. The company's lawsuit, filed in August 2010, seeks damages totaling $2.6 billion and requests an injunction preventing further development or shipment of the Android operating system.