Microsoft has agreed a worldwide patent licensing deal with online marketplace Rakuten, covering each company’s Android and Linux operating systems.
The deal, announced on Wednesday, March 9, covers each company’s consumer electronics products. Financial details have been kept confidential.
It is the second patent agreement Microsoft has agreed in a week after inking a deal with Wistron on March 8.
Nick Psyhogeos, president of technology licensing at Microsoft, said: “Our agreement with Rakuten reinforces the opportunities that cross-licensing can bring to companies across the technology spectrum.”
Akio Sugihara, managing executive officer at Rakuten, added: “This agreement gives us the freedom to bring our customers new and exciting products, while jointly recognising the value of patented innovations.”