Microsoft and JVC have signed a patent cross-licensing agreement to expand each other’s product lines.
The agreement was signed recently by representatives of both companies and is geared towards promoting the exchange of valuable information and the incorporation of patented technologies in their respective products.
It covers a broad range of consumer products manufactured by each company. The exact financial details of the deal are confidential but it has been stated that Microsoft is being compensated by JVC.
“When technological industry leaders collaborate through intellectual property licensing, we foster greater innovation that will benefit the customer, the consumer and the overall IT ecosystem,” said Horacio Gutierrez, vice-president of intellectual property and licensing at Microsoft. “We are proud of the quality of our broad, global patent portfolio, and we look forward to continuing to work with JVC and other industry leaders to develop new and exciting technologies through our collaborative licensing program.”
“This agreement strengthens the long-standing collaborative relationship between the two companies,” said Tetsuro Fuse, associate director and general manager of intellectual property at JVC. “We are pleased that both companies recognize and respect the value of their respective patent portfolio and expect that this will further contribute to the development of high-quality and excellent products and services provided by both companies.”
Microsoft has entered into more than 200 licensing agreements since it launched its IP licensing programme in December 2003. In the past year, Microsoft has entered into similar agreements with Fuji Xerox, Kenwood, Kyocera Mita Corp, NEC Corp, LG Electronics, Nortel Networks, Novell Olympus, Samsung and Seiko Epson.
By Niall Byrne
