Tech Watch | InfoWorld Staff » Microsoft, JVC in IP agreement

January 15, 2008 | Comments: (0)

Microsoft, JVC in IP agreement

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Microsoft and Victor Company of Japan Ltd. (JVC) late on Tuesday announced they have entered into a patent cross-licensing agreement intended to further the development of each company's product lines and expand technological innovation.

Covering a range of consumer products each company sells, the agreement expands the relationship between the two companies to promote the exchange of valuable information and the incorporation of patented technologies in their respective products, Microsoft's statement said.

While contents of the agreement and specific financial terms were kept confidential, the parties indicated Microsoft will be compensated by JVC, according to Microsoft.

Microsoft launched its IP licensing program in December 2003, with the intent of opening up access to Microsoft's research and development investments and patent and IP portfolio, the company said. In November 2006, the company forged a controversial IP agreement with Novell in which the vendors agreed to not sue each other's customers over IP issues. Payments went between the two companies as part of that agreement.

Also as part of that arrangement, Microsoft agreed not to assert rights over any patents to software technology that may have been incorporated into Novell's Suse Linux.

Posted by Paul Krill on January 15, 2008 05:18 PM

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