1 April 2010Patents

Microsoft and Amazon cross paths

US software company Microsoft has announced that it has entered a patent cross-licence agreement with Amazon.com.

Microsoft gained access to a “broad range of products and technology” belonging to Amazon, the company said.

The coverage provides Microsoft with patented Amazon technology important to the Kindle e-reading device, including “both open source and Amazon’s proprietary software components”, as well as the company’s application of Linux-based servers, it said.

Microsoft will receive an undisclosed fee from Amazon under the terms of the agreement.

As the biggest spender on research and development in its market—$8 billion annually—Microsoft has positioned itself as a trader in patented technology. The computer company appears to be actively seeking patent licensing deals with other companies.

This year, Microsoft has entered into licensing agreements with I-O Data Device Incorporated and Panasonic Corporation.

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