Microsoft Inks Patent Deal with Casio Over Linux
Redmond-based software giant Microsoft announced yesterday, the 20th of September, that it inked a patent agreement with Tokyo-based multinational electronic devices manufacturing company Casio. Such deals are struck every day, so what’s so interesting about this one? The interesting thing is that the patent deal refers to the use of open-source operating system Linux.
As Microsoft explained, this is a broad, multiyear patent cross-licensing agreement, an extension of the long-standing relationship between the two companies. The agreement is meant to provide Casio’s customers with patent coverage for their use of Linux in certain Casio devices. Additional information on the agreement has not been made public. What has been made public is that Microsoft will receive compensation from Casio.
Horacio Gutierrez, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel of Intellectual Property Group at Microsoft, issued this standard comment about the Microsoft-Casio patent agreement:
“We’re pleased to reach an agreement and to see continued recognition of the value of our patent portfolio, particularly as it relates to operating systems.”
In related news, earlier this month Microsoft inked a patent agreement with Acer and ViewSonic. What’s so interesting about them? The interesting thing about these two agreements is that they refer to Google’s Android and Chrome OS.
Microsoft signed a patent license agreement with Acer, agreement that includes broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for Acer’s tablets and smartphones running the Android platform. It also signed a patent agreement with ViewSonic, agreement that provides broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for ViewSonic’s tablets and mobile phones running the Android or Chrome Platform.
“We are pleased that [Acer/ViewSonic] is taking advantage of our industrywide licensing program established to help companies address Android’s IP issues. This agreement is an example of how industry leaders can reach commercially reasonable arrangements that address intellectual property,” said Horacio Gutierrez at the time.
As Microsoft explained, this is a broad, multiyear patent cross-licensing agreement, an extension of the long-standing relationship between the two companies. The agreement is meant to provide Casio’s customers with patent coverage for their use of Linux in certain Casio devices. Additional information on the agreement has not been made public. What has been made public is that Microsoft will receive compensation from Casio.
Horacio Gutierrez, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel of Intellectual Property Group at Microsoft, issued this standard comment about the Microsoft-Casio patent agreement:
“We’re pleased to reach an agreement and to see continued recognition of the value of our patent portfolio, particularly as it relates to operating systems.”
In related news, earlier this month Microsoft inked a patent agreement with Acer and ViewSonic. What’s so interesting about them? The interesting thing about these two agreements is that they refer to Google’s Android and Chrome OS.
Microsoft signed a patent license agreement with Acer, agreement that includes broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for Acer’s tablets and smartphones running the Android platform. It also signed a patent agreement with ViewSonic, agreement that provides broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for ViewSonic’s tablets and mobile phones running the Android or Chrome Platform.
“We are pleased that [Acer/ViewSonic] is taking advantage of our industrywide licensing program established to help companies address Android’s IP issues. This agreement is an example of how industry leaders can reach commercially reasonable arrangements that address intellectual property,” said Horacio Gutierrez at the time.
