Microsoft Pledges to Let Joint Venture Partners Keep the Patents
- Microsoft said its tech customers would own patent rights
- Policy designed to clarify ownership rights in new ventures
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Microsoft Corp. President Brad Smith said customers don’t have to worry that the company will help them develop new products and then set up a competing business.
In a blog post, Smith outlined a policy for what the company calls its Shared Innovation Initiative. It pledges that any patents or design rights that result from a joint work agreement will stay with the customer and not with Microsoft.