Microsoft Corp. and Kyocera Mita Corp. have signed a patent cross-licensing agreement to allow access to each company’s respective patent portfolio. The agreement encompasses a broad range of patents and will help further each company’s research and development (R&D) efforts.
Through this agreement, Kyocera Mita will gain access to Microsoft’s patents for Kyocera Mita’s current and future product lines, including multifunction products (MFPs), printers, copiers and certain Linux-based embedded devices. Microsoft will gain access to Kyocera Mita patents for Microsoft’s current and future product lines, including Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office and other IT product lines. The terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.
“We believe that intellectual property licensing is an empowering way to bring innovation to the IT ecosystem,” said David Kaefer, general manager of Intellectual Property and Licensing at Microsoft. “Customers will benefit from this agreement because both Microsoft and Kyocera Mita will have access to an extensive range of technologies that will allow each company to enhance its respective products. In addition, this agreement also delivers on our promise to continue to build a bridge between open source and proprietary software and technologies.”
Kyocera Mita is a global leader in both the manufacturing and distribution of monochrome and color MFPs, printers, copiers, and parts and supplies. The company’s extensive product range can support the broad document needs of diverse customer groups ranging from individual users and small workgroups up to large enterprise-level environments.
“It was an honor to fairly value and assess each other’s patents, as this agreement allows both companies to benefit from enhanced patent portfolios,” said Shinji Osaki, general manager of the Legal and Intellectual Property Division and executive officer of Kyocera Mita. “I believe this agreement will improve the productivity of both our businesses and result in offering reassurances and increased satisfaction for all our customers.”
Microsoft’s Commitment to Licensing Technology
Patent cross-licensing agreements, such as this, reinforce the
importance intellectual property licensing plays in ensuring a strong
and dynamic IT ecosystem. In December 2003, Microsoft launched its IP
licensing program, and since then the company has entered into more
than 200 licensing agreements. Microsoft continues to develop programs
that make it possible for customers, partners and competitors to access
its IP portfolio. Microsoft has entered into a number of patent
cross-licensing agreements with industry leaders including Cadence
Design Systems Inc., Fuji Xerox Co. Ltd., Kenwood Corp., LG
Electronics, NEC Corp., Olympus Corp., Novell Inc., Samsung Electronics
Co. Ltd., Seiko Epson Corp. and Turbolinux. More information about
Microsoft’s licensing programs is available at
http://www.microsoft.com/ip.
