Posting of documentation to MSDN provides transparency and opportunity for others.
REDMOND, Wash. — Dec. 18, 2008 — Microsoft Corp. today announced it is expanding its Exchange ActiveSync Intellectual Property (IP) Licensing program, facilitated by Version 1.0 releases of technical documentation for protocols built into Exchange ActiveSync, which Microsoft posted on the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) earlier this month. The posting of this documentation completes the set of Exchange ActiveSync protocols Microsoft committed to publish as part of its Interoperability Principles announced in February 2008 (http://www.microsoft.com/interop/principles/default.mspx).
“The Exchange ActiveSync IP Licensing program is another example of how we are continuing to deliver on our commitment to increased openness and collaboration,” said Horacio Gutierrez, vice president of intellectual property and licensing at Microsoft. “This technology is being sought out by our partners and competitors alike because it enhances their value proposition to their customers, and we believe that to be a testament to the innovation taking place at Microsoft.”
Exchange ActiveSync
Exchange ActiveSync allows mobile phones to get wireless push e-mail and synchronize calendar, contacts and tasks. Exchange ActiveSync also enables businesses to manage wireless devices and enact security policies. More information about Exchange ActiveSync can be found athttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa998357.aspx. The public posting on MSDN of the technical documentation for protocols built into Exchange ActiveSync provides developers with the opportunity to immediately build prototype applications that can sync with Microsoft Exchange Server and more than 200 Exchange ActiveSync-enabled mobile phones. To further simplify the process for developers and others, the expanded licensing program sets out clear steps and licensing terms that a company can access when it wants to commercialize its applications. The documentation of the Exchange ActiveSync protocols is posted on MSDN at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc307725.aspx.
Current Exchange ActiveSync licensees include Apple Inc., Nokia, Palm Inc., Samsung Electronics Company Ltd. and Sony Ericsson. More information about the Exchange ActiveSync IP Licensing program is available at http://www.microsoft.com/iplicensing. Helio LLC and DataViz Inc. also are licensees of Exchange ActiveSync and have used the technology to enrich their product offerings. A case study on Helio is available at http://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/casestudy.aspx?casestudyid=4000001517, and a case study on DataViz is available at http://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/casestudy.aspx?casestudyid=4000001499.
Microsoft’s Commitment to Licensing IP
The licensing program for the Exchange ActiveSync technology is another example of the important role IP collaboration plays in ensuring a healthy and vibrant IT ecosystem. Since Microsoft launched its IP Licensing program in December 2003, the company has entered into more than 500 licensing agreements and continues to develop programs that make it possible for customers, partners and competitors to access its IP portfolio. The program was developed to open access to Microsoft’s significant research and development investments and its growing, broad patent and IP portfolio.
Recently, Microsoft’s patent portfolio was given — for the second year in a row — the top quality rating by the IEEE Spectrum Patents Scorecard (http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/patentsurvey2008), an independent patent-quality rating system.
Interoperability Principles
In February, Microsoft announced a set of broad-reaching changes to its technology and business practices that were designed to increase the openness of its products and drive greater interoperability and opportunity across the IT community of developers, partners, customers and competitors. Among other things, Microsoft committed to establishing and maintaining open connections between its high-volume products, including Exchange Server 2007, and non-Microsoft products. Posting the Exchange ActiveSync documentation on MSDN and expanding the licensing program for the Exchange ActiveSync technology are two steps toward delivering on these commitments. Details about the Interoperability Principles are available at http://www.microsoft.com/interop/principles/default.mspx.
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