Microsoft gets another Android maker to pay up: LG

Microsoft’s patent licensing machine is back in action, lining up another Android maker: this time, LG.

The Korean manufacturer signed a patent agreement providing coverage for tablets, phones and other devices running the Android or Chrome OS. Details and financial arrangements of the agreement were not released although this is likely a royalty deal similar to others that Microsoft has established. Microsoft said the LG deal is the 11th such patent agreement with an Android maker, covering 70 percent of the Android phones sold in the U.S. It previously inked IP agreements with big manufacturers such as HTC, Samsung and Acer. Microsoft said the latest pact builds upon an earlier cross-licensing agreement with LG and is just the latest example of Microsoft’s broad IP licensing program, which has secured more than 1,100 deals.