IBM and Adobe Sign Agreement for Technology Licensing and Software Patent Cross-Licensing
Thornwood, N.Y. & San Jose, CALIF (February 19, 1998) – IBM and Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq: ADBE) announced an extension to their business relationship which expands the scope of technology to be shared between the companies.
Both companies have agreed to license portions of each other’s software patent portfolios. The agreement also augments IBM’s existing licenses for key Adobe technologies, including Adobe PostScript and PostScript Extreme software, for use in its printer products.
The patent cross-licensing agreement addresses a broad range of patented software inventions in areas such as graphics, multimedia, printing and document publishing. The agreement allows Adobe to use IBM graphics and multimedia inventions for current and future products, and extends to Adobe’s end-user and OEM customers.
“This agreement with Adobe is representative of the growing acceptance for and awareness in our industry of the need to license software patents,” said Marshall Phelps, Jr., IBM vice president of intellectual property and licensing. “These licenses allow the exchange of ideas and inventions throughout the industry to the benefit of both technology providers and customers, while protecting the investments of the inventors.”
“Adobe and IBM share a commitment to provide customers with industry-leading printing technology that ensures output is of the highest quality,” said Fred Schwedner, senior vice president and general manager, Adobe Printing and Systems division. “Today’s agreement strengthens the technology arsenal of both companies.”
Specific terms of the agreement are confidential.
Based in San Jose, Calif., Adobe is the world’s leading maker of software that enables organizations and individuals to express information and ideas more effectively. The company offers market-leading software for creating and distributing visually rich communications across all print and electronic media. The Adobe home page is located at http://www.adobe.com.
IBM, the world’s largest software provider, creates, develops and manufactures the industry’s most advanced information technologies, including computer systems, software, networking systems, storage devices and microelectronics. IBM offers complete information about the company, its products, services and technology to Internet users through the World Wide Web. The IBM home page is located at http://www.ibm.com.
Source: IBM