Microsoft's Newest Patent Deal
- Shane Coyle
- 2007-03-22 19:27:09 UTC
- Modified: 2007-03-22 19:27:45 UTC
and they can't help but mention open source and Linux
Microsoft has
inked a patent cross-license agreement with Fuji Xerox, allowing each company access to the others patent portfolio.
As has become customary, the specific details and financial terms are not being disclosed at this time, the release does note that there are both "monetary and non-monetary" provisions that allow both companies to receive compensation from their patent portfolios"
Fuji Xerox, which is owned by FUJIFILM Holdings Corp. and Xerox Corp., is a leading investor in Research and Development (R&D) related to document management systems and maintains a broad patent portfolio, including patents in the United States and in Japan. Like Fuji Xerox, Microsoft has a long history of R&D and maintains many patents related to software and computer hardware innovations.
Through the agreement, Fuji Xerox will obtain access to Microsoft patents for Fuji Xerox’s existing and future product lines, including products that incorporate proprietary source and open source software, such as Linux. Likewise, Microsoft will gain access to Fuji Xerox patents for Microsoft’s existing and future proprietary product lines, including Microsoft Office. The agreement contains monetary and non-monetary provisions that allow both companies to receive compensation from their patent portfolios. The terms of the agreement are not being disclosed at this time.
Comments
gpl1
2007-03-22 20:10:11
Roy Schestowitz
2007-03-23 06:58:37
Is Microsoft infringing upon Xerox, Apple and Unix intellectual property?