Microsoft and Kyocera Mita Enter Broad Patent Cross-Licensing Agreement
Posted on: Tuesday, 13 November 2007, 21:00 CST
OSAKA, Japan, and REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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.
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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.
About Kyocera Mita Corp.
Kyocera Mita manufactures and markets network-ready digital monochrome and color MFPs, printers, and copiers as well as a range of wide-format imaging products. It also offers a portfolio of software and network solutions. Kyocera's ECOSYS Technology provides customers with print solutions that incorporate long-life components, which reduce the need to replace the drum and other image forming parts. This technology delivers a number of benefits: improved reliability, reduced environmental impact and the lowest TCO in the printer industry. Combining these hardware strengths with the latest digital and network technologies, Kyocera Mita assists businesses of all sizes to maximize value and improve their document management processes. Kyocera Mita Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Kyocera Corporation. The Kyocera Group dedicates its resources to the development of its businesses across three broad sectors: Information and Communications, Environmental Preservation and Quality of Life. Kyocera Mita, as a document solutions provider, is a core company in the Information and Communications sector. Also, its development of long-life component technology means it is an important part of Kyocera's Environmental Preservation sector.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
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Microsoft Corp.
CONTACT: Toshimasa Kawasaki of KYOCERA MITA Corporation,+81-(0)6-6764-3515, c-com@kyoceramita.co.jp; or Rapid Response Team, WaggenerEdstrom Worldwide, for Microsoft, +1-503-443-7070, rrt@waggeneredstrom.com
Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/
Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall
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