IBM secures storage patent licensing deal

IBM has agreed a cross-licensing patent deal with data storage company Western Digital,  with Western Digital also acquiring more than 100 patents from the multinational.

The patents cover technology including distributed storage, object storage, and emerging non-volatile memory, Western Digital said in a statement yesterday, January 25.

Further details of the agreement have not been revealed.

Mike Cordano, president and chief operating officer at Western Digital, said: “This agreement reflects our continued focus on innovation and sets the stage for even more rapid advancement and commercialisation of new data storage solutions.”

William LaFontaine, general manager, intellectual property for IBM, added:  “This agreement with Western Digital illustrates the value of patented IBM inventions and demonstrates our leadership in licensing access to our broad patent portfolio.”

Earlier this month, WIPR reported that IBM had topped the list of patents granted in the US for the 23rd successive year.