Microsoft Corp and Samsung Electronics Company announced a deal on April 19 to share patented technologies. The Redmond, Washington, software giant and the South Korea-based electronics titan have a "broad patent cross-licensing agreement" that they say will accelerate development of new products at both companies.
Under the terms of the deal, Samsung will get Microsoft technology that can be used for such products as computers, digital media players, camcorders, televisions, printers, home appliances and television set-top-boxes.
Microsoft will gain access to Samsung's patent portfolio relating to digital media and computer devices. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed but both parties will be paid for use of proprietary technology.
In the past 12 months, Microsoft has announced similar agreements with companies such as Novell, NEC, Fuji-Xerox, Seiko-Epson and Nortel.