Microsoft has extended a technology-sharing agreement with Citrix Systems to include a five-year patent cross-licensing plan between the two companies.
The agreement, announced Tuesday, also calls for Citrix to get access to the source code of Longhorn, the forthcoming version of Microsoft's Windows Server operating system, which is due out in 2007.
Access to Microsoft's technologies will allow Citrix to build new versions of its server-access software, called Citrix MetaFrame Access Suite, which runs in conjunction with Microsoft's Windows Terminal server product, the companies said.
The patent-swapping deal with Citrix fits into Microsoft's strategy to seek cross-licensing deals with other software makers. Microsoft intends to forge similar arrangements with the top technology vendors in an effort to head off intellectual-property disputes stemming from patents.
"This technology and patent-licensing agreement provides an important context for our collaboration with Citrix," Bob Muglia, senior vice president of Microsoft Windows Server, said in a statement.
The companies said that the technology-sharing arrangement will result in products that are more tightly integrated and ease the transition to future versions of MetaFrame.
The patent pact with Citrix follows a deal Microsoft struck last week with design software maker Autodesk.
Join the conversation
Comment replyThe posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Click here to review our Terms of Use.
Google creates an animated doodle that features a boy, a girl, Google's search engine, and a jump rope. But might there be darker, more analytical, more troubling interpretations to this tale?
The Silicon Valley online payments startup grew by 1,000 percent last year and is hopeful it can repeat that level of growth this year. To do that, it's had to move away from its early friends-and-family roots and embrace small businesses.
Chamtech's spray-on antenna uses a nano material to provide a low-power boost to antenna range. The wireless-in-a-can product may some day bring an end to unsightly cell towers.
EnerG2 opens a plant to make an engineered carbon that will improve performance of energy storage devices and make storage for start-stop hybrid cars less expensive.
Enter for a chance to WIN a PS Vita
Join the conversation