Microsoft and Alpine share patents

Microsoft and Alpine Electronics have signed an agreement to cross-license their patent portfolios, which will help the companies to further develop their current and future product lines.

Although specific financial terms were not disclosed, the companies indicated that Tokyo-headquartered Alpine paid Microsoft for the license to Microsoft patents.

The agreement expands an existing relationship whereby Alpine has been adopting Microsoft’s automotive-specific operating system, Windows Automotive, on most of its navigation systems for the automotive OEM factory installations since 2002.

Alpine specialises in the manufacturing of in-car audio equipment, mobile multimedia components and in-car navigation systems.