Microsoft and Canon Sign Patent Cross-Licensing Agreement

[Canon Rumors]

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<p>REDMOND, Wash., and TOKYO — July 2, 2014 — Microsoft Corp. and Canon Inc. on Wednesday broadened their strategic alliance with the announcement of a broad patent cross-licensing agreement. With this agreement, Microsoft and Canon gain licenses to each other’s highly valued and growing patent portfolios.</p>
<p>“This collaborative approach with Canon allows us to deliver inventive technologies that benefit consumers around the world,” said Nick Psyhogeos, general manager, associate general counsel, IP Licensing of the Innovation and Intellectual Property Group at Microsoft. “Microsoft believes cooperative licensing is an effective way to accelerate innovation while reducing patent disputes.”</p>
<p>This agreement covers a broad range of products and services each company offers, including certain digital imaging and mobile consumer products. Microsoft and Canon have a long history of collaborating to bring high-quality, cutting-edge products to consumers, including color technology. Contents of the agreement will not be disclosed.</p>
<p>“This agreement is a natural extension of our longstanding relationship with Microsoft and commitment to developing innovative technologies,” said Hideki Sanatake, senior general manager, Corporate Intellectual Property & Legal Headquarters of Canon Inc.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2014/jul14/07-02canonpr.aspx" target="_blank">Read the full Press Release</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

 

[zim]

well this won't polarise opinion ;D

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

This can be a benefit to consumers, its possible, for example, that we will see the ability to view raw images for Canon products in Windows.

 

[OmarSV11]

This can be a benefit to consumers, its possible, for example, that we will see the ability to view raw images for Canon products in Windows.

I can see my Canon RAW in Windows, in the icon file and in the preview panel.

Maybe you need this: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26829

 

[HurtinMinorKey]

Canon Windows Phone here we come!

 

[LookingThroughMyLens81]

Maybe this means we'll get JPEG XR from RAW through Canon's software.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

This can be a benefit to consumers, its possible, for example, that we will see the ability to view raw images for Canon products in Windows.

I can see my Canon RAW in Windows, in the icon file and in the preview panel.

Maybe you need this: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26829

Its not native in Windows, you must install the Microsoft or other codec, and it does not automatically update. I'd like native support that updated automatically when new codecs were available.

 

[jrista]

I'm a big fan of Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8. Not that I think this would lead directly to a Canon WP camera, but I think it is an interesting possibility for smaller cameras...compacts, mirrorless with touch.

I think that's the less valuable outcome, however. I think the biggest thing is better support for Canon hardware on the Windows platform (across the device range), maybe even some deeper integration between the two. I'd welcome that. It may also mean the integration of Canon devices into Microsoft tablets and phones, XBox, maybe future Microsoft devices? Dunno...interesting stuff.

It's certainly been nice having Apple-patented features in Windows phone (like the rubber band scrolling) and not have to worry that Apple is going to go ape-shit and sue Microsoft into the next millennium over such a trivial thing (Apple's aggressive litigation against Android makers over ludicrous things like rounded-corner icons REALLY soured me against them. I was never a big fan, but now I rather dislike the company. I've had plenty of apple devices over the years, they have been ok, nothing ever worth their fanatical following IMO...but I don't like it when an innovative company turns aggressive and predatory.)

 

[David Hull]

Microsoft Lawyer: Hey Canon, we (Microsoft) have 500,673 active patents. We're pretty sure you are in violation of several of them. Why don't you consider taking out a licensing agreement with us. In return you get access to all our patents and we'll never bother you again.

Canon Lawyer: What if we don't?

MSFT Lawyer: We begin Litigation proceedings on Monday.

Canon Lawyer: Well, OK, where do we send the check.

 

[RLPhoto]

It seems that windows phone will suffer from win 8 syndrome concaved with less dynamic range issues from canon.

 

[Don Haines]

This is going to appear as part of the new user interface on the 7D2.

It will greatly simplify taking pictures.

Turn on 7D2
wait 8 minutes for it to finish booting up
log in with user id
wait another minute
select camera app, click on "yes, I am sure that I wish to allow this program to make changes to camera"
wait for camera app to load
click on "use previous camera settings"
click on focus
click on shutter
click on "yes, I wish to store picture"
select directory
enter file name or click on default
click on "Yes, I wish to store (filename) in (directory)
enter administrator authorization password

and that's all!

 

[iraikov]

You forgot the part about installing 500MB updates to the Genuine Microsoft Shutter App (tm) after logging in...

This is going to appear as part of the new user interface on the 7D2.

It will greatly simplify taking pictures.

Turn on 7D2
wait 8 minutes for it to finish booting up
log in with user id
wait another minute
select camera app, click on "yes, I am sure that I wish to allow this program to make changes to camera"
wait for camera app to load
click on "use previous camera settings"
click on focus
click on shutter
click on "yes, I wish to store picture"
select directory
enter file name or click on default
click on "Yes, I wish to store (filename) in (directory)
enter administrator authorization password

and that's all!

 

[Don Haines]

<ERROR>
Camera 2.13.4321 is incompatible with Windows Media Player 12.962. Please upgrade your copy of Microsoft Office to the latest version.

 

[elkatro]

I would like to see EOS Remote app in windows smartphones, iOS and Android have it.

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Don.
This and your previous post gave me a good laugh! Thank you.

Cheers Graham.

<ERROR>
Camera 2.13.4321 is incompatible with Windows Media Player 12.962. Please upgrade your copy of Microsoft Office to the latest version.

 

[LDS]

Its not native in Windows, you must install the Microsoft or other codec, and it does not automatically update. I'd like native support that updated automatically when new codecs were available.

"Native" and "preinstalled" are two different things. Those codecs are not pre-installed, but they are fully native codecs for the Windows Imaging Component (WIC) which is the image management framework in Windows. I do not know wny they are not offered as optional components in Windows Update, or automatically updated, it may also depends on your Windows Update settings and if you have Windows Live installed or not.

 

[c.d.embrey]

I've been a Windoz hater for over 20 years. The reason I did not buy a Nokia Lumia 930 was, you guessed it, Windoz Phone 8. BTW I use a 2006 LG flip-phone, so please don't call me an Apple fanboy

If a Canon camera comes along that I'd normally buy. But it uses MicroSoft code, I'll have to pass. Back in the day, when I did HTML coding (by hand), I learned to h8t MS, and their non-standard (and buggy) Windoz Explorer. Been there, done that and I ain't going back YMMV.

 

[preppyak]

As awful as a lot of Microsoft software is, this is pretty much a win-win. Canon doesnt have to use any of Microsoft's patents if they don't want (and vice versa), but, this means they dont have to engineer their own solutions that one of the largest tech companies in the world has already solved.

Means less money needed on R&D for those issues and more money dedicated towards things Microsoft cant solve (lenses, sensors, etc).

If Canon and Microsoft had merged as companies, it'd be awful for software/UI reasons...but patent sharing is very different

 

[Ruined]

Windows Phone 8.1 is awesome, not awful. It manages to be efficient, safe, yet diverse and powerful. Basically the best of iOS and Android combined. iOS = efficient and secure but no diversity with only one brand and two models; Android = lots of diversity but inefficient and insecure.

If you haven't given it a chance you should, and I look forward to phones with Canon tech in them.

 

[c.d.embrey]

... this means they dont have to engineer their own solutions that one of the largest tech companies in the world has already solved.

Solved ??? seems to me FUBARed is more likely

Here's a fun read on Military Slang http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FUBAR#FUBAR