JAPANESE imaging giant Nikon has signed a patent cross-licensing agreement with Microsoft to further the development of each company’s current and future product lines.

The agreement covers digital cameras made by Nikon as well as a broad range of other consumer products each company manufactures and sells. Terms of the arrangement were not disclosed, although the companies said the Microsoft was being compensated by Nikon, rather than the other way around.

Microsoft and Nikon have a long history of collaboration, bringing new consumer products to the market, including wireless cameras and RAW processing technologies.

The patent cross-licensing agreement would benefit customers of consumer products including digital cameras. Both parties will be able to innovate openly with each other’s technologies, enabling new features and products to come to market.

“This agreement is another great example of how industry leaders are coming together to collaborate through intellectual property licensing, and by doing so enabling innovation that will ultimately benefit the consumer,” Microsoft vice-president of intellectual property and licensing Horacio Gutierrez said.

“We are proud of the quality of our broad, global patent portfolio, and we are pleased to be working with an industry leader such as Nikon,” he said.

Since Microsoft launched its IP licensing program in December 2003, the company has entered more than 500 licensing agreements and continues to develop programs that make it possible for customers, partners and competitors to access its IP portfolio.

“This agreement is a natural extension of our long-standing relationship with Microsoft, and we look forward to collaborating and bringing exciting new products to the market,” said Naoki Tomino, director, member of the board and General Manager of Intellectual Property Headquarters at Nikon.