One of the big advantages to Google’s Android mobile operating system was that Google was giving it away for free to anyone who wanted to make a phone. As we reported earlier Microsoft is seeking payment from OEMs of Android phones for violating their patents. It turns out Android phone manufacturers like HTC may have to pay Microsoft between $20-$40 per device. So basically you can pay Microsoft $20-$40 to use Google’s Android in your phone, or you can pay Microsoft.. what, $8-$15 to use Windows Mobile in your phone? Then Microsoft can use the money it makes when people buy Google phones to fund Windows Phone development… Or they can just sit around doing nothing and let the money roll in.

(via BusinessWeek)