Microsoft has increased the Windows Rally program family with the addition of a new member. The Tokyo-based manufacturer of Home AV products, Onkyo, has not only enrolled in the Windows Rally program, but also inked a broad patent cross-licensing agreement with the Redmond company. Neither party wished to reveal the range of solutions that the cross-licensing patent agreement covered, and only pointed to consumer products, more specifically home entertainment items. Additionally, although the financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, the two companies pointed out that Microsoft was to receive compensation from Onkyo.

"When industry leaders collaborate through intellectual property licensing, we foster greater innovation that will benefit the overall IT ecosystem," said Horacio Gutierrez, vice president of intellectual property and licensing at Microsoft. The Redmond company debuted its IP licensing program back in December 2003. Onkyo is just the latest company to jump on-board Microsoft's wagon which now accounts for in excess of 200 partners.

"We are proud of the quality of our global patent portfolio, and we look forward to continuing to work with Onkyo and other industry leaders to develop new and exciting technologies through our collaborative licensing program," Gutierrez added.

In 2007, Onkyo acquired Japanese PC manufacturer Sotec, and as such the company expanded its range of offerings beyond home entertainment products. In this context, Onkyo is now the latest addition to the Windows Rally program, allowing it to easily tap various Microsoft resources from technology to licensing, as well as technical guidance.

"We're very excited about this new collaboration with Microsoft. We think a mix of technology, communication and entertainment enables greater technology solutions. These agreements strengthen our collaborative relationship, which is of immense importance and will further help us address our customers' needs," added Nobuaki Okuda, executive officer of business development at Onkyo.