Huawei in Android patent licensing talks with Microsoft

Chinese electronics giant could join Samsung and HTC in per device payments to Redmond

Huawei has confirmed it is in talks with Microsoft over a license agreement which could see the Chinese firm join Samsung, HTC and others in paying Redmond for the use of patents in its Android devices.

At an event to launch the Chinese telecoms giant's new Vision smartphone and MediaPad tablet, chief marketing officer (CMO) Victor Xu, said talks were "in progress" but would not speculate on their outcome.

"We always respect the IP of any company," he added. "We have 65,000 patents, enough to protect our interests, and we're an important stakeholder in the Android alliance."

If the talks do end in a licensing agreement, Huawei will join Samsung, HTC, Acer, ViewSonic and other firms in paying Redmond per device royalties for their Android handsets and tablets.

The last major device manufacturer yet to sign is Motorola, the company bought by Google over the summer and which is currently involved in a legal dispute with Microsoft.

Patents analyst Florian Mueller told V3 that December could prove a pivotal month in that dispute.

"Google argues that Microsoft hasn't proven any infringement of its patents in court yet, but an administrative law judge of the United States International Trade Commission will make an initial determination on Microsoft's ITC complaint against Motorola on or before 16 December," he explained.

"That ruling will relate to 7 of 25 different patents Microsoft is asserting against Android in different lawsuits."

At the launch event on Monday, Huawei also revealed its bold plans to grow its share in the UK smartphone market, becoming a top five brand in the next three years and in the top three within five years.

UK vice president, Mark Mitchinson, also claimed the firm would gain a market share of four per cent by the end of 2012 and is looking to double its handset sales this year.

Part of the plan involves moving customers from feature phones to smartphones, with the firm announcing a new design centre based in London which will help produce the innovative designs for future handsets.

The facility will be one of three built by Huawei around the world and aims to take advantage of the pool of creative talent in the UK and Europe, according to Huwei creative director for ID Europe, Andy Davey.

"The design centre is a place where leading edge technology meets great design ... to develop premium products for everyone," he said.

"We have to differentiate ourselves through our hardware and ... ensure the UI is as high performance as the handsets so we need an integrated approach."