Microsoft Launches Licensed Contract Manufacturers Marketplace for Hardware Technology
Posted on June 3, 2008
Filed Under Microsoft
Successful hardware IP licensing program expands and offers new technologies.
TAIPEI, Taiwan, June 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — At COMPUTEX TAIPEI
2008, Microsoft Corp. is announcing the expansion of its intellectual
property (IP) licensing program for Microsoft Hardware technologies with
the launch of the Licensed Contract Manufacturers Marketplace and the
expansion of its IP licensing portfolio with three new technologies –
Instant Viewer; Magnetic Recharging Cable; and Video Conferencing Digital
Pan, Tilt, Zoom and Face Tracking — to further demonstrate its commitment
to shared industry success.
Manufacturers Marketplace
The Manufacturers Marketplace is an online destination for global
retail brands looking for licensed suppliers of Microsoft Hardware
technologies. This feature newly added to the Microsoft Hardware IP
licensing site serves to provide OEMs and global retail brands with access
to leading innovations made popular by Microsoft-branded hardware products.
This one-stop shop for technologies and licensed suppliers enables
third-party brands to easily add popular features to their own products,
while providing a hedge against market price erosion. Licensed
manufacturers can promote both their company and licensed products on the
site, providing OEMs and retail brands with a choice of licensed suppliers.
With 30 companies under its license, the program continues to grow with
broad adoption by the peripherals industry. The new marketplace can be
found at
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/licensing/licensees.mspx
.
“As an industry leader in the design and development of computer
peripherals and accessories, we are excited to continue the expansion of
our IP licensing program with the online Licensed Contract Manufacturers
Marketplace,” said Rusty Jeffress, general manager of Microsoft Hardware.
“We look forward to seeing the future benefits this site will bring to
retail brands as it provides a complete overview of all the innovative
technologies offered to licensees.”
Growing IP Licensing Program
Last year, the licensing program for Microsoft Hardware technologies
expanded to allow contract manufacturers (CMs) and outsourced design and
manufacturing firms (ODMs) to directly take an auto USB-PS/2 sensing (U2)
license from Microsoft for their U2 product shipments to their third-party
end-brand customers, thereby eliminating the need for a separate end-brand
U2 license for those shipments. Now, Microsoft has 13 mouse- and
keyboard-industry manufacturers licensed to ship U2-enabled products. In
addition, three new retail brand licensees are announced: Acco Brands
Corp., Jasco Products Co. (GE brand), and Micro Innovations.
“The computer accessories industry is moving into a new phase of
innovation, and technology licensing is one piece of our strategy to
continue to deliver innovative products to our consumers,” said Don Angel,
vice president of Product Management and Development of Kensington Computer
Products, a division of ACCO Brands. “As a result, we are an active
participant in Microsoft’s hardware technology licensing program.”
“Jasco Products shares a mutual respect of intellectual property with
other Microsoft licensees,” said Cameron Trice, vice president of Product
and Marketing at Jasco Products. “We strive to elevate our customer
experience through technology and IP licensing and look forward to the
benefits of participation in the Microsoft Hardware licensing program.”
Microsoft is the only peripherals supplier with a program of this kind
that encourages shared technology success by allowing licensees (including
CMs, ODMs and third-party retail brands) to incorporate key Microsoft
innovations — including the U2, Tilt Wheel and Magnifier — into their
products. In addition, the licensing program is announcing the expansion of
its technology portfolio to include three new innovative Microsoft Hardware
technologies found on popular Microsoft-branded mice and webcams today:
— Instant Viewer. This simple one-click software navigation solution for
mice or keyboards is found in Microsoft’s IntelliPoint software
shipping with its branded mice. It displays all open windows at once
so users can see each project they are working on and easily switch
between applications for added productivity. Instant Viewer is
compatible with Windows XP and Windows Vista.
— Magnetic Recharging Cable. An innovative recharging cable found in the
Mobile Memory Mouse 8000 features a patent-pending magnetic connector
technology that allows users to continue using their wired or wireless
input devices while the device is recharging. The cable and connector
offer a cost-effective and compact recharging solution as a substitute
for traditional docking stations.
— Video Conferencing Digital Pan, Tilt, Zoom and Face Tracking. This
technology found on the Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000 webcam enhances the
videoconferencing experience by enabling the webcam lens to digitally
pan, tilt and zoom to keep a speaker centered in an image during a
videoconference.
“As a multitechnology licensee including the Tilt Wheel, U2 and
videoconferencing technologies, delivering innovative products through
technology licensing helps us to maintain a competitive edge,” said Roger
Lu, executive vice president of Chicony Electronics Co. Ltd. “Chicony is
pleased to offer our customers access to Microsoft’s innovations through
the hardware licensing program.”
About Microsoft IP Licensing
This licensing program is another example of the important role that IP
plays in ensuring a healthy and vibrant IT ecosystem. Since Microsoft
launched its IP licensing program in December 2003, the company has entered
into more than 500 licensing agreements and continues to develop programs
that make it possible for customers, partners and competitors to access its
IP portfolio. Microsoft developed its IP licensing programs to open access
to Microsoft’s significant research and development investments and its
growing, broad patent and IP portfolio.
More information about licensing Microsoft Hardware technology can be
found at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/licensing.mspx.
Online demonstrations of the technologies available are featured at
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware. Inquiries on Microsoft’s intellectual
property licensing program can be e-mailed to iplg@microsoft.com.
About Microsoft Hardware
For 25 years, the Hardware Group has employed innovative engineering,
cutting-edge industrial design and extensive usability testing to create
products of exceptional quality and durability that enhance the software
experience and strengthen the connection between consumers and their PC.
Microsoft Hardware leads the industry in ergonomic engineering, industrial
design and hardware/software compatibility, offering consumers an easier,
more convenient and more enjoyable computing experience. Microsoft
IntelliMouse Explorer, which launched in 1999, earned a place on
PCWorld.com’s December 2005 list of “The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50
Years” as the first mainstream optical mouse that “brought gunk-free
pointing devices” to a broad consumer base. More information about the
Hardware Group is available at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize
their full potential.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
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