A broad patent cross-licensing agreement between Cannon and Microsoft will allow either company to use patents filed by the other.

Both companies were ranked in the top five companies in their industry according to IEEE Spectrum’s Patent Power 2013 ranking, and Microsoft was No. 1 in computer software.Canon is a world leader in imaging technology, and putting better cameras into Windows phones could help them gain ground against far more popular Android and iOS devices

Microsoft’s intellectual property manager Nick Psyhogeosin said “This collaborative approach with Canon allows us to deliver inventive technologies that benefit consumers around the world. Microsoft believes cooperative licensing is an effective way to accelerate innovation while reducing patent disputes.”

Canon’s intellectual property manager Hideki Sanatake says “This agreement is a natural extension of our longstanding relationship with Microsoft and commitment to developing innovative technologies,”

Microsoft began entering into intellectual property licensing agreements in December 2003. Since then the company has signed more than 1,100 agreements, and provided numerous companies with access to Microsoft patents and technology.

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