REDMOND, WASH, TOKYO - Microsoft Corp. and Nikon Corp. have signed a patent cross-licensing agreement to further the development of each company’s current and future product lines, a press release by Microsoft stated.

The agreement covers digital cameras made by Nikon as well as a broad range of other consumer products each company manufactures and sells.

The agreement was signed by representatives from both companies at Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington. Although the contents of the agreement have not been disclosed, the parties indicated that Microsoft is being compensated by Nikon.

Microsoft and Nikon have a long history of collaborating to bring high-quality, cutting-edge consumer products to the market, including wireless cameras and RAW processing technologies.

The companies believe that this patent cross-licensing agreement will substantially benefit customers of consumer products including digital cameras. Both parties will be able to innovate openly with each other’s technologies, enabling new features and products to come to market.

This agreement will extend and enhance our already successful, long-standing collaboration with Nikon, and will allow us to provide even better products to our customers,” Director of the Rich Media Group at Microsoft Josh Weisberg said.

“This agreement is another great example of how industry leaders are coming together to collaborate through Intellectual Property licensing, and by doing so enabling innovation that will ultimately benefit the consumer,” Vice President of Intellectual Property (IP) and Licensing at Microsoft Horacio Gutierrez noted.

“We are proud of the quality of our broad, global patent portfolio, and we are pleased to be working with an industry leader such as Nikon,” he continued.

“At Nikon, we want to continue to lead the industry in pioneering photography solutions and give our customers access to innovative technology,” Director, member of the Board and General Manager of IP Headquarters at Nikon Naoki Tomino pointed out.

“This agreement is a natural extension of our long-standing relationship with Microsoft, and we look forward to collaborating and bringing exciting new products to the market,” he stated.

The licensing agreement is another example of the important role IP plays in ensuring a healthy and vibrant IT ecosystem.

Since Microsoft launched its IP licensing program in December 2003, the company has entered into more than 500 licensing agreements and continues to develop programs that make it possible for customers, partners and competitors to access its IP portfolio.

The program was developed to open access to Microsoft’s significant research and development investments and its growing, broad patent and IP portfolio.

Over the past two years, Microsoft has entered into similar agreements with Alpine Electronics Inc., Fuji Xerox Co. Ltd., Kenwood Corp., Kyocera Mita Corp., LG Electronics, NEC Corp., Nortel Networks, Novell Inc., Olympus Corp., Onkyo Corp., Pentax, Samsung, Seiko Epson Corp. and Victor Co. of Japan Ltd.

Nikon has carved out a place as a pioneer of optical technology in Japan and the world since its inception in 1917.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Source: ag-IP News