Schmidt to Android makers: Google's got your back

Google will continue to support manufacturers of Android devices that are involved in patent disputes, the company's former chief said on a tour of the Far East.

The Google executive chairman, Eric Schmidt, who was previously co-chief executive of the company, said Google would continue to provide help with things like information sharing, industry expertise and access to Google's patents for licensing and legal purposes.

"We tell our partners, including the ones here in Taiwan, we will support them. For example we have been supporting HTC in its dispute with Apple because we think that the Apple thing is not correct," Schmidt said, according to a Reuters report on Wednesday.

A number of Android device manufacturers have found themselves caught up in patent battles with Apple, including HTC, Motorola and Samsung.

Google itself is also involved in a long-running alleged patent infringement lawsuit with Oracle over its implementation of Java in the operating system.

During the tour, Schmidt also told reporters that the company's purchase of Motorola Mobility in August would not affect the openness of Android and that no preferential treatment would be given to Motorola.

During the three-day tour of the Asian cities, Schmidt also sought to repair Google's relationship with China, with which it has a chequered history over the censorship of search results. Despite this, Schmidt said Google wanted to work "within the limits the government allowed".