While fragmentation is at the top of most developers and consumers list of top issues with Android, most manufacturers are typically worried about issues on the intellectual property side. Android may be developed and managed by Google, but that has not stopped various companies from suing the companies that manufacture Android powered smartphones.

In order to stay one step ahead of the competition (and the lawsuits), Samsung and HTC have both entered into a strategic partnership with Intellectual Ventures.  Samsung and HTC will both receive the rights to use more than 30,000 patents in IV’s portfolio in their production of new products, sheltering themselves from potential patent infringement lawsuits from other companies.

This new partnership should allow HTC and Samsung to focus more on producing new hardware and software while mitigating their intellectual property risk. It’s always nice to know that manufactures can spend a little less money on their lawyers and hopefully invest a little more into R&D and manufacturing.