4:17:00 AM
.
REDMOND, Wash. — March 22, 2017 — Microsoft
Corp. on Wednesday announced a new patent licensing agreement with
Toyota Corp. that includes broad coverage for connected car
technologies. Today’s agreement builds on Toyota and Microsoft’s strong
partnership, which includes their collaboration on the Azure-based Toyota Big Data Center.
“Microsoft invests $11.4 billion annually in research and development
and for more than 30 years has been developing innovative technologies
that are powering today’s connected car experiences. When you look
across telematics, infotainment, safety and other systems in today’s
connected cars, you find Microsoft technologies and innovation,” said
Erich Andersen, corporate vice president and chief IP counsel of
Microsoft’s Intellectual Property Group. “Microsoft doesn’t make cars;
we are working closely with today’s car companies to help them meet
customer demands, and we’re pleased today to announce the licensing of
our patented technology to our partner, Toyota.”
“This is an exciting time in the industry, and we believe that to
create the best, most immersive connected car experiences, automotive
makers should partner with technology leaders like Microsoft,” said
Tokuhisa Nomura, executive general manager of Toyota’s Advanced R&D
and Engineering Company. “Through this patent partnership between Toyota
and Microsoft, we will be able to innovate faster to deliver new,
contextual and immersive experiences to our customers.”
Microsoft’s commitment to licensing IP
The patent agreement is another example of the important role
intellectual property (IP) plays in ensuring a healthy and vibrant
technology ecosystem. Since Microsoft launched its IP licensing program
in December 2003, it has entered into more than 1,200 licensing
agreements. More information about Microsoft’s licensing programs is
available at http://www.microsoft.com/iplicensing.
About Microsoft Technology Licensing
Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC was formed in 2014 to acquire, manage and license Microsoft’s patent portfolio.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) is the leading platform and
productivity company for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and its
mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet
to achieve more.
