Samsung and Sony Enter a Cross-License Agreement to Share Patent Portfolios


December 14, 2004... Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (hereafter Samsung) and Sony Corporation have signed a Cross-License Agreement on December 14, detailing mutual usage of patent portfolios owned by the two companies.

Over the past several decades, Samsung and Sony, have each built strong patent portfolios through vigorous R&D efforts on a wide range of electronic technologies, especially those to digitalization and broadband network capability.

Todays announcement is the culmination of negotiations that have occurred between the two industries since December 2003. It is noteworthy that the two leading companies in the electronics industry will share patents across major product lines through a cross-license agreement. The goal was to construct a The beneficial relationship relationship Samsung and Sony could use each others patent portfolios to effectively keep pace with the fast and sophisticated advancement of digital technologies. This indicates a new patent relationship appropriate for the broadband/network era.

To enable greater business growth through efficient product development, the Agreement licenses that patents which are considered to be the basic technologies necessary for product development. They are associated with technologies, such as basic semiconductor technology and industry standard technologies.

On the other hand, to foster the uniqueness of each company, and healthy competition in the market, so called Differentiation Technology Patents and design rights are excluded from the Agreement. Examples of Differentiation Technology Patents that are not licensed from Sony to Samsung, are those Related to Digital Reality Creation (DRC), and PlayStation Architecture. Patents not licensed from Samsung to Sony are those related to Digital Natural Image Engine (DNIe), and Samsungs Home Networking Technology. further, the agreement does not apply to TFT-LCD and Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display patents.

Both Sony and Samsung recognize that the Cross-License Agreement will reinforce their ability to provide better products and services to consumers worldwide, while at the same time, maintain each companys uniqueness and competitiveness.

The Cross License Agreement between Samsung and Sony includes the subsidiaries of both companies.

About Sony

Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and on-line businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading Personal broadband entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $72 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004.


About Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2003 parent company sales of US$36.4 billion and net income of US$5.0 billion. Employing approximately 88,000 people in 89 offices in 46 countries, the Company consists of five main business units: Digital Appliance Business, Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business and Telecommunication Network Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is the worlds largest producer of color monitors, memory chips, And TFT-LCDs.

Contact:

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd (Korea)
Corporate Communications Team
Tel : +82-2-727-7848

Sony Corporation (Japan)
Corporate Communications
Tel : +81-3-5448-2200

USB To Ethernet

Usb Ethernet Card,Type C Adapter,Wifi Usb Lan Card

USB3.0/2.0 Docking Station Wireless Adapter Co.,Ltd , http://www.chwirelessrouter.com

This entry was posted in on