Microsoft signs patent licensing agreement with 123map - Quick Facts

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT: News ) announced a patent licensing agreement with 123map GmbH & Co. KG that will enhance 123map's ability to bring digital point-of-interest mapping technology to its customers.The German-based company will use licensed patented technology to providefaster, low-cost vector-based maps to their customers.

The intellectual property licensing agreement with Microsoft will enable 123map to use Microsoft's patented innovation to overlay information on a map image corresponding to a place of interest, enriching the geographical information on the maps.

Over the past few years, Microsoft has entered into IP licensing agreements related to mapping and navigation technologies, including a licensing agreement with Inrix Inc., a Seattle-based startup that has grown into a leading provider of predictive traffic information in North America and Europe. Microsoft has also recently entered into patent cross-licensing agreements for car navigation technologies with major consumer electronics companies, including Alpine Electronics of America Inc., Kenwood Corp. and Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.