Microsoft, Samsung Settle Android Patent Royalty Suit

A seven-year Microsoft-Samsung cross-licensing patent deal, by which Samsung would pay Microsoft $1 billion a year, went awry when Microsoft bought a division of Nokia, Samsung responded by withholding payment, and Microsoft sued. This week the companies settled, releasing identical brief statements that said they were “pleased to announce that they have ended their contract dispute,” and that the terms of the settlement would remain confidential.