Microsoft and JVC Enter Into Patent Cross-Licensing Agreement to Foster Mutual Innovation...

Microsoft and JVC Enter Into Patent Cross-Licensing Agreement to Foster Mutual
Innovation and Collaboration
Agreement covers a broad range of consumer products for both companies.

REDMOND, Wash., and TOKYO, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft
Corp. and Victor Company of Japan Ltd. (JVC) have signed a patent
cross-licensing agreement to further the development of each company's current
and future product lines, which will expand technological innovation and
enhance the overall customer and consumer experience.
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The agreement, recently signed by representatives of both companies,
expands the relationship between JVC and Microsoft to promote the exchange of
valuable information and the incorporation of patented technologies in their
respective products. The agreement covers a broad range of consumer products
each company manufactures and sells. Although the contents of the agreement,
including the specific financial terms, are confidential, the parties
indicated that Microsoft is being compensated by JVC.
"When technological industry leaders collaborate through intellectual
property licensing, we foster greater innovation that will benefit the
customer, the consumer and the overall IT ecosystem," said Horacio Gutierrez,
vice president of intellectual property and licensing at Microsoft. "We are
proud of the quality of our broad, global patent portfolio, and we look
forward to continuing to work with JVC and other industry leaders to develop
new and exciting technologies through our collaborative licensing program."
Recently, Microsoft's patent portfolio was given the top quality rating in
the IT industry by two of the leading independent patent quality rating
systems.
"This agreement strengthens the long-standing collaborative relationship
between the two companies," said Tetsuro Fuse, associate director and general
manager of intellectual property at JVC. "We are pleased that both companies
recognize and respect the value of their respective patent portfolio and
expect that this will further contribute to the development of high-quality
and excellent products and services provided by both companies."
Microsoft's Commitment to Licensing Technology
The licensing agreement is another example of the important role
intellectual property (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 200 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 up
access to Microsoft's significant research and development investments and its
growing, broad patent and IP portfolio. In the past year, Microsoft has
entered into similar agreements with Fuji Xerox Co. Ltd., Kenwood Corp.,
Kyocera Mita Corp., LG Electronics, NEC Corp., Nortel Networks, Novell Inc.,
Olympus Corp., Samsung and Seiko Epson Corp.
More information about Microsoft's licensing programs is available at
http://www.microsoft.com/ip.
About JVC
JVC, well known for its invention of VHS format of VCR, is a leading
international electronics company that has achieved success by combining its
excellence in audio and video hardware with its global-scale software
business, and also has a growing reputation for its professional equipment.
JVC operates several business lines through which it offers a wide variety of
devices and solutions. JVC business lines are Video, Audio, TV, Entertainment,
Information-related Equipment, and Component Devices. Headquarters in
Yokohama, Japan, JVC was founded in 1927. For more information, visit the JVC
Web site at http://www.jvc-victor.co.jp/english/global-e.html.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their
full potential.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.

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