Microsoft and Brother Industries have entered into a broad patent cross-licensing agreement that enables access to each company’s respective patent portfolio, including Brother’s embedded Linux printing products. Aimed at boosting R&D efforts, the agreement includes compensation paid to Microsoft by Brother, say the companies.
In the agreement, Brother Industries gains access to Microsoft’s patents for Brother’s current and future products. These products include multifunction products (MFPs), printers, and “certain Linux-based embedded devices,” say the companies. Meanwhile, Microsoft will gain access to Brother’s patents for Microsoft’s current and future products, including Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, and other IT products.
Uncategorized February 6th 2009