South Korea's Samsung Electronics and the U.S.' Microsoft Corporation have signed an agreement on cross-licensing their patent portfolios.

Under the deal signed on Wednesday, Samsung will pay royalties of four to five dollars to the American software giant every time it sells Smartphones or tablet PCs that are powered by the Android mobile platform.

Through the agreement, Samsung will be able to freely produce Android-run phones and Windows phones.

By forming a united front with Microsoft and Intel, Samsung is regarded to have expanded its strength in its dispute with Apple over patents and keep Google in check at the same time.

Microsoft, which had been suffering difficulties in the mobile market after being outperformed by Apple and Google, is regarded to have secured a strong ally with the recent agreement.