Google and top Android partners agree to share software patents

Google and a group of top Android phone makers have sealed a new agreement to collectively defend themselves against patent lawsuits.
The group, which also includes Samsung, LG, and HTC, have agreed to share patents covering “Android and Google Applications” on any device that meets Android’s compatibility requirements. The patents will be shared for free, and the group is supposed to be free and open for any company to join.
The agreement’s proper name is the “Andr