Google slams Microsoft over patent "extortion"

Microsoft and Google's mobile patent spat has intensified following yesterday's deal with Samsung.

That agreement means Samsung will pay a licence fee for Microsoft patents for that are used within Google's OS.

The situation, which bizarrely sees Microsoft profit from handsets built around Android, sparked an angry response from Google, which accused its rival of "extortion".

"This is the same tactic we've seen time and again from Microsoft," a Google spokesperson said in a statement sent to IT Pro's sister title PC Pro.

"Failing to succeed in the smartphone market, it is resorting to legal measures to extort profit from others' achievements and hinder the pace of innovation. We remain focused on building new technology and supporting Android partners."

Microsoft fired back at Google through its head of communications' Twitter feed, suggesting the company was acting like a baby.

"Let me boil down the Google statement from 48 words to 1," said Frank Shaw. "Waaaah."