Google, Samsung reportedly ask China to limit Microsoft-Nokia deal over fear of escalating license fees

Google and leading Android device maker Samsung have asked Chinese regulators to ensure that Microsoft’s bid to acquire Nokia’’s phone business did not lead to higher licensing fees on patents that remain with the Finnish company, Bloomberg reported on Monday.   The companies joined Chinese mobile phone makers Huawei and ZTE in voicing concerns about Microsoft gaining more power in the smartphone market, the report said, citing two government officials familiar with the matter. The companies have asked the regulators to set conditions on the deal, the officials said.   China’s Ministry of Commerce is conducting an anti-monopoly review and is likely to approve the deal, the officials told Bloomberg. European Union antitrust regulators approved the acquisition without conditions in December.   Samsung and Google did not respond to Reuters requests for comment. Nokia declined to comment. The Microsoft-Nokia deal is expected to be finalised in the first quarter of this year.   Microsoft already takes a cut from sales of most Android devices thanks to its patent licensing deals across the industry. The company collects licensing fees from most major Android device makers as well as manufacturers such as Foxconn, **which struck a deal with Microsoft last year** .   Google and Samsung’s request to regulatory authorities comes on the back of the Mobile World Congress, where Nokia debuted three Android-based devices, that will use Microsoft’s core services and APIs instead of the usual Google services.   With inputs from Reuters