Is it every device? I haven't been able to find a good overview that lists companies that have signed on and companies that haven't, or details on the specific patents. I couldn't speculate on what might have been without more information.

Set your spin filters to maximum and try this Microsoft article from last year: https://blogs.technet.com/b/microsoft_on_the_issues/archive/...

I think they've sued a few more vendors into joining since then.

I don't see much in the way of details. It looks like a blanket license, which isn't a bad thing if Microsoft has something other companies want. By that understanding, a licensee could use Metro or something derived from it.

My understanding is that patent-related legal services are extremely expensive. A few dollars per device is easier to deal with than months of patent research every time a manufacturer wants to change something. Especially if a company with patents has one the manufacturer wants to use.

If only settling with Microsoft indemnified ODMs from future litigation risk!

This is not about providing a cheap alternative to patent-related legal services, it's about a dynastic enterprise using the threat of a flawed patent system against it's partners and former partners to regain lost competitive advantage in the market place!

The silver lining is still a silver lining just for Microsoft. Sales of Windows phone 7 speak for themselves (and the ODMs)

> It looks like a blanket license, which isn't a bad thing if Microsoft has something other companies want.

"Not getting sued" should not need to be a product.

> My understanding is that patent-related legal services are extremely expensive. A few dollars per device is easier to deal with than months of patent research every time a manufacturer wants to change something.

As I said, I don't want to grade on a curve. Both of those options suck.