Microsoft gets Casio to sign Linux patent protection deal

20.09.2011
Lest we forget that still insists , Microsoft issued a reminder today. It announced a patent licensing deal with Casio Computer Co. Ltd. that "among other things, will provide Casio's customers with patent coverage for their use of Linux in certain Casio devices," .

MORE DEALS:

The terms of the deal were not announced, except that Casio will be paying Microsoft an undisclosed sum of money, Microsoft says.

The deal doesn't just cover Linux, but is a "broad, multiyear patent cross-licensing agreement," meaning Microsoft should also gain access to some of Casio's intellectual property.

Casio has been a longtime licensee of and embedded Windows for its ruggedized computers and other devices. It also uses Linux and embedded Linux.

While Microsoft's focus lately has been to wrangle patent agreements out of Android, this news signals the company still hasn't given up on its claims on Linux. Microsoft has announced a handful of licensing deals involving Linux since 2007 including with Novell for SUSE (now owned by Attachmate), Linspire, (the Japanese parent company of Buffalo), Fuji Xerox and .