Microsoft signs patent licensing deal with Rakuten covering Android and Linux devices

Microsoft has entered yet another patent license agreement with a third-party company. This time, it's with Japan-based Rakuten, and it will cover both company consumer electronic products, including any Linux and Android-based devices.

The press release has quotes from both Microsoft and Rakuten reps:

"Our agreement with Rakuten reinforces the opportunities that cross-licensing can bring to companies across the technology spectrum," said Nick Psyhogeos, president of Microsoft Technology Licensing. "We're pleased to have found a mutually beneficial path of collaboration that will ultimately benefit consumers.""This agreement gives us the freedom to bring our customers new and exciting products, while jointly recognizing the value of patented innovation," said Akio Sugihara, managing executive officer and director of Rakuten."

The specific financial terms of this latest patent deal, as with all of Microsoft's similar agreements, were not disclosed.

John Callaham