Jan 25, 2016

Microsoft and smartwatch vendor Olio have struck a patent-licensing agreement. And that's about all we know about Microsoft's latest IP licensing pact. Microsoft announced its first patent-licensing deal of the new year on January 25. Microsoft Technology Licensing -- the part of Microsoft that acquires, manages and licenses Microsoft patents -- and Olio Devices LLC have signed "a patent licensing agreement covering wearable devices. " Olio is a vendor of premium smartwatches with starting prices around $600 . What's this deal about? Good question. And no idea. A Microsoft spokesperson, when I asked whether this was the usual Android patent-protection-type agreement, said the company wasn't issuing any comment whatsoever about today's deal beyond the very terse announcement of its signing. Usually, when Microsoft signs an Android licensing agreement, the company is quick to trumpet that fact . In the press statement about the Olio deal, there is this Microsoft phrase, some variant of which often accompanies Android patent-licensing deals: "Mutually beneficial and collaborative patent agreements like this one promote innovation and lead to better products and experiences for consumers. " Read this