Following years of patent as well as regulatory charges leveled against each other, good sense has prevailed upon Microsoft and Google, as the two tech giants decided to set aside their differences to concentrate of competing against one another through the merits of their respective products, instead of bothersome lawsuits.
The latest decision by Microsoft and Google to withdraw regulatory complaints against each other follows a similar move in 2015, wherein both the tech behemoths concurred to withdraw patent disputes associated with smartphones, web-based video and Wi-Fi technology, The Guardian reported.
While neither party has revealed the detail of the gentleman's agreement between the arch rivals, both sides have sent the message that the accord is a sign of a change in their management philosophy. In fact, the new Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, is keen to move forward the vision of a vibrant, collaborative Microsoft, which is willing to forge partnerships with all from Apple to Salesforce.
Those familiar with the happenings in the Silicon Valley reveal that the wind began to change last September, soon after Sundar Pichai assumed the post of Google CEO, when the rival tech companies agreed to stop disputing over patents, which is considered to be the first step toward the present accord. They both now want to compete on products and not in the courts.
The two companies have been competing vigorously, but now they want to compete on the basis of the merits of their products, Digital Trend quoted a Google spokesperson saying. Consequently, after the patent agreement between the two companies, they have consented to drop regulatory complaints against each other.
On the other hand, echoing Google's views on changing legal priorities, a Microsoft spokesperson told the media outlet that henceforth, they would concentrate on robustly competing for businesses and customers only.
Incidentally, though the timing of the agreement coincides with the European Commission's recent charges that Google is suppressing competition with pre-installed Android apps, the accord has nothing to do with the accusations. In fact, Microsoft is also on the same boat and perhaps requires all the help it can manage, since the Redmond tech titan has filed a suit against the U.S. government last week, stating that its customers enjoy the legal authority to know when the government is seeking data related to them.
Watch the video on "Hannover Messe 2016: Satya Nadella Keynote" below:
