US software giant Microsoft and Japanese imaging company Canon have signed a broad patent cross-licensing agreement that includes digital imaging and mobile consumer products, the US giant has announced.
The agreement provides the companies with access to a wide variety of licences for each other's patents but details about the number involved were not disclosed.
"This collaborative approach with Canon allows us to deliver inventive technologies that benefit consumers around the world," said Microsoft intellectual property licensing spokesman Nick Psyhogeos.
"Microsoft believes co-operative licensing is an effective way to accelerate innovation while reducing patent disputes."
Microsoft has signed more than 1100 licensing agreements that open its intellectual property portfolio for customers, partners and competitors since 2003, the company said.
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