Microsoft and Funai Electric reach licensing agreement

Microsoft announced yesterday the renewal of a patent cross-licensing agreement covering a range of consumer audio-video products with Japanese company Funai Electric. While you may not be familiar with the Funai name in the US, the company is actually a worldwide manufacturer under FUNAI and other multiple brands including Philips, Magnavox, DX Broadtec, Emerson, Sanyo and Kodak.

President of Microsoft Technology Licensing released the following statement in the press release:

“Microsoft and Funai Electric will continue to benefit from each other’s innovations in building enhanced experiences for our customers. This cross-licensing agreement is another example of the advantages of an IP-led economy, encouraging product interoperability and accelerating research and development advances across companies.”

Microsoft started its IP licensing program in December 2003 and has since entered into more than 1,200 licensing agreements to increase collaboration and innovation across a range of industries. Do you think Microsoft’s commitment to licensing IP can be beneficial for customers? Tell us what you think in the comments.