Android vendors need not fear patent infringement lawsuits from Apple as Google Inc., maker of the most popular mobile operating system in the world, promised to support them if they face legal actions from the iPhone maker.

Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt made the promise to Taiwanese Android vendors during his visit to Taiwan on Wednesday.
Reuters quoted Schmidt as saying that his company can provide information, industry expertise, and Google patents to help partners face Apple squarely in court if need be.

The statement was in reaction to a Taiwanese executive who raised concerns over patent disputes involving Android. The executive, who was among the attendees to a confidential meeting with Schmidt, declined to be identified.

Schmidt cited as example Google's continuing support to HTC. Apple filed a complaint against HTC before the U.S. International Trade Commission last year alleging that its mobile device violates 20 patents.

HTC countersued Apple claiming that the iPhone violated patents it held. In September, HTC also sued Apple for using patents it received from Google, according to CNET.

CNET reported that Google was emboldened to support Android vendors after acquiring Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion. The U.S. smartphone maker's own patents will protect the company, the report said.

Schmidt's visit to Taiwan, the final leg of his three-city Asian tour, was also aimed at reinforcing alliance with partner vendors amidst the latter's move to also use Microsoft's Windows platform on their devices, according to a security analyst.