"The deal is similar to the much criticized (in the open source
Linux community at least) covenant between Novell and Microsoft, as
well as other cross-patent deals regarding Linux technology, with
vendors such as LG Electronics.
"Since launching its IP licensing program in December 2003,
Microsoft has signed more than 500 licensing agreements, says the
company. Other agreements regarding printing technology include
deals with HP, Samsung, Fuji Xerox, Seiko Epson, and Kyocera Mita,
says Microsoft. Many of these firms offer printers based on
embedded Linux technology. In recent years, Linux has proven
especially popular in large, networked, high-speed office printers,
according to MontaVista and Wind River, two embedded Linux vendors
that claim significant customer wins in the category."
