No, Microsoft didn't get the patents in the sale: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/03/us-nokia-microsoft... They only have a license to the patents, not the ability to use them to go after other companies. IMHO they bought Nokia because it was on the verge of collapsing and taking Windows Phone down with it. Whether it really mattered is up for debate considering WP's now shrinking market share.