Microsoft Corp. and Brother Industries Ltd. have signed a patent cross-licensing agreement to allow access to each company’s respective patent portfolio, a press release by Microsoft stated.
The agreement encompasses a broad range of patents and will help further each company’s research and development (R&D) efforts.
Through this agreement, Brother Industries will gain access to Microsoft’s patents for Brother’s current and future product lines, including multifunction products (MFPs), printers and certain Linux-based embedded devices.
Microsoft will gain access to Brother’s patents for Microsoft’s current and future product lines, including Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office and other IT product lines. Although the contents of the agreement have not been disclosed, the parties indicated that Microsoft is being compensated by Brother.
“We believe that Intellectual Property licensing is an empowering way to bring innovation to the IT ecosystem,” General Manager of IP and Licensing at Microsoft David Kaefer said.
“Our partners and customers continue to demand greater collaboration as they run increasingly diverse IT environments using technology and solutions that rely on both proprietary and open source code,” he added.
“This ‘mixed source’ world calls for sensible business arrangements between IT leaders to enable the use of software resulting from various development and business models,” Kaefer continued.
Brother is a global leader in both the manufacturing and distribution of monochrome and color MFPs, printers and parts and supplies.
The licensing agreement is another example of the important role IP plays in ensuring a healthy and vibrant IT ecosystem.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
SOURCE:AGIPNEWS
