Re:Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset
by air on Tuesday June 24, 2014 @08:47AM
(#7937368)
They use the same loophole as with phones. Microsoft distributes Linux VMs through its subsidiary Microsoft Open Technologies, which was created just for this purpose. It does not own the patents so MS doesn't have to license them.
https://www.simple-talk.com/iwritefor/articlefiles/1610-VM-p...
http://vmdepot.msopentech.com/List/Index
On the flip side of what you said, now that they're an Android OEM they may have the legal standing to complain to regulatory agencies about how Google forces Android OEMs(which was kept secret from the public until it came out recently in court cases) to have Google Search as the default in order to get access to important Android Apps and APIs including the Play Store to the detriment of alternate search engines like Bing and DDG.
http://bgr.com/2014/05/05/google-search-and-apps-on-android/