Microsoft, Samsung cross bridge over GPL
InternetNews | at | by Mike
Microsoft announced today that it has entered into a broad cross-licensing agreement with South Korean electronics maker Samsung. The deal, which Microsoft said is patterned after the agreement it struck with Linux vendor Novell last November, may pave the way for greater interoperability between open source and patented software in the future, the company said.
Under terms of the agreement, Microsoft will gain access to Samsung's patent portfolio relating to digital media and computer-related inventions; Samsung, for its part, will have the right to use Microsoft's patents in its products -- both those that use proprietary software, as well as those using Linux-based products.