14 DAY TRIAL // Linux is one of the main focuses of a broad patent agreement between Microsoft and Samsung. The Redmond and Seoul companies have not disclosed the financial terms of the cross-patent agreement, but monetary compensation will reflect strictly the value of their respective portfolios. According to both players, product development efforts will be accelerated as a result of the broad patent cross-licensing partnership.
"Offering customers elegant, highly desirable products requires advanced scientific research and design inspiration," said Shung Hyun (Peter) Cho, senior vice president of the Digital Media R&D Center at Samsung Electronics. "Patent collaboration agreements like this expand access to ideas and lead to even more desirable products for our customers."
"We are always looking for new opportunities to work collaboratively within the industry, and Samsung was a natural fit, particularly because of its leadership in the rapidly changing world of digital media technologies," said Horacio Gutierrez, vice president of Intellectual Property and Licensing at Microsoft. "Companies that collaborate are in the best position to deliver the products and service that their customers demand."
Via the new cross-patent agreement Microsoft and Samsung will have access to each other's portfolios. In this context, Samsung will benefit from Microsoft coverage for the usage of a selection of Linux-based products. Additionally, Microsoft's patents will find their way into Samsung product lines, from computers to home appliances.
In turn, Microsoft will tap one of the largest US patent portfolio owned by Samsung with an emphasize on digital media. Samsung is simply a new addition to Microsoft's growing list of cross-patent partners that includes: Fuji Xerox Co. Ltd., NEC, Nortel, Novell Inc. and Seiko Epson Corp.