HTC to pay Microsoft for protection from Apple

At first glance, it seems pretty straight forward -- Microsoft is nervous abut Android, and they want to show that they won't hesitate to throw around their patents. But is that what's really happening? TechCrunch has a different take on the story.

In Microsoft's statement, they have some interesting wording that almost makes it look like they are tag-teaming with HTC to help fight the evil forces of the Apple -- who has already sued HTC for patent infringement recently.

“Microsoft Corp. and HTC Corp. have signed a patent agreement that provides broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for HTC’s mobile phones running the Android mobile platform”

MG Siegler thinks this could mean that Microsoft is offering up some level of patent protection to HTC -- who is very patent-poor. Doing this inadvertently helps Google, and is certainly going to be interesting to watch.