Microsoft announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement with Samsung to cross-license the patent portfolios of both companies, providing broad coverage for each company's products. Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will receive royalties for Samsung?s mobile phones and tablets running the Android mobile platform. In addition, the companies agreed to cooperate in the development and marketing of Windows Phone.

The patent cross-licensing deal between Samsung Electronics and Microsoft may strengthen the former’s hand in its legal fight against Apple.

The two companies have settled their dispute over the use of patented technologies in the Android operating system (OS) used in Samsung smart gadgets.

Samsung will pay $180 million in royalties to Microsoft this year, but market analysts have no doubt that the situation is favorable to Samsung.

Samsung has been involved in an intensive patent fight with Apple since early this year, and plans to sue the American firm for infringing on its wireless patents in the upcoming iPhone 5.