The litigations in the tech world regarding intellectual property have been well documented. This has led companies to be more thorough with their due diligence before they decide to use a particular technology. This includes entering into partnerships with patent holders to avoid any conflict down the line, which is what Microsoft has done with ELECOM, a manufacturer of peripherals and accessories for personal computers and digital equipment for the home and small businesses based in Japan.
Microsoft ELECOM Patent Partnership
In addressing the new patent collaboration between both companies, Nick Psyhogeos, president of Microsoft Technology Licensing, said, “This partnership is an example of how the mutually respectful and beneficial exchange of technology can empower businesses and consumers to achieve more.”
Under the agreement announced by Microsoft, it would have access to the range of products ELECOM manufactures. Two products that were mentioned by the software giant are network attached storage (NAS) and tablets, which highlights the future of computing in the home and workplace.
As more of the things we use become connected, tablets and NAS will be an integral part of this ecosystem. If you are a small business, you can set up all of your IT needs with a cloud configuration that only needs tablets and NAS for all of your employees. Conversely, you can have a similar configuration in your home to record, access and control content using only these two devices.
However, ELECOM also has peripherals, I/O devices and PC accessories along with digital solutions of network products such as wireless LAN routers, a cloud service and an installation service for wireless LAN access points.
The Microsoft ELECOM patent partnership is looking ahead at the future of connectivity and the devices that will be needed to make that possible. Connecting users to devices seamlessly will be essential for software companies such as Microsoft with hardware manufacturers. This licensing agreement gives businesses the assurance when they integrate the technology of both companies, they won’t have to worry about any compatibility issues.
Koji Kajiura, managing director, Products Development, ELECOM, said, “Collaborative licensing partnerships like this one improve the user experience for our customers by offering them more innovative and value-added products.”
The Microsoft IP licensing program has entered into more than 1,200 agreements since it was launched in 2003. To further bolster its position in this segment, it formed Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC in 2014 to acquire, manage and license Microsoft’s patent portfolio, ensuring intellectual properties will be protected and properly licensed.
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