Microsoft denies talks about licensing Windows Mobile to Nokia

Has Microsoft really confirmed that is talking with Nokia about Windows Mobile licensing, or not? The latest word from Microsoft on that question is, "No."

Speaking with BetaNews today, a Microsoft spokesperson said that news reports in some other publications -- based around a press conference held Monday in Barcelona, Spain -- contain misinterpretations of remarks made by Microsoft executive Pieter Knook.

At the event, which was held to announce the first Windows Mobile-enabled devices from Ericsson, Knook -- who is senior VP for Microsoft's Mobile Communications Business -- did tell journalists, "There are a lot of discussions happening with Nokia," according to the spokesperson.

Yet the next words out of Knook's mouth were, "But before we move on to other operators, let's celebrate Sony Erisson coming onboard."

The spokesperson told BetaNews that these statements, alone, did not constitute a confirmation that Microsoft is specifically discussing Windows Mobile licensing with Nokia.

In fact, although Microsoft "would love for Nokia to license Windows Mobile, and might pursue that in the future, it just isn't happening" right now, he said.

The spokesperson didn't exclude the possibility that some casual chitchat along the lines might have been exchanged between Microsoft and Nokia employees.

"But we are not formally pursuing Windows Mobile licensing with Nokia. It just isn't something that would make sense at this time," he told BetaNews.

When asked to elaborate, he mentioned Nokia's "involvement" in Symbian, a company that produces a mobile OS -- especially popular in Europe -- which competes directly against Windows Mobile.

Although Ericsson is also a shareholder in Symbian, Nokia is the majority shareholder.

The spokesperson also told BetaNews, however, that Nokia does license other software from Microsoft -- including Windows Live, PlayReady, and Exchange ActiveSync, for example -- for use on some of its devices.