Microsoft says Samsung owes $6.9 million in unpaid interest

Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) is demanding $6.9 million interest from Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) in a dispute over smartphone patent royalties, according to a lawsuit unsealed by a New York federal court on Friday.

Microsoft is asking the court to rule that it did not breach a business collaboration agreement with Samsung, and that Samsung must pay interest on more than $1 billion in royalty payments which it delayed in protest at Microsoft's planned purchase of rival Nokia's handset business.

A redacted version of the lawsuit was filed by Microsoft in August.

Samsung made royalty payments on time to Microsoft during the first fiscal year after they signed their 2011 agreement, the lawsuit said.

However, after Microsoft announced the Nokia deal in September 2013, Samsung initially refused to make another payment, arguing that the Nokia deal breached its licensing agreement with Microsoft. It eventually paid late without adding interest, according to the lawsuit.

Samsung did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.

Microsoft has successfully argued that Google Inc's (GOOGL.O) Android mobile system uses some of its technology, and as a result most hardware makers, including Samsung, have agreed to pay patent royalties on Android handsets.

Motorola is one of the main holdouts, and that company has been in litigation against Microsoft since 2010.

Business
SIB partners with CISI to elevate professional standards and enhance financial advisory skills among staff
By Titus Too 1 day ago
Business
NCPB sets in motion plans to compensate farmers for fake fertiliser
Business
Premium Firm linked to fake fertiliser calls for arrest of Linturi, NCPB boss
Enterprise
Premium Scented success: Passion for cologne birthed my venture