Microsoft Enters Licensing Agreement With Sharp

Press release:

Microsoft Enters Licensing Agreement With Sharp

Aug. 07, 2012

Microsoft licenses exFAT file technology to Sharp for use in products including Android phones.

inShare5

REDMOND, Wash. — August 7, 2012 — Microsoft Corp. has entered into an IP licensing agreement with Sharp Corp. to use the latest Extended File Allocation Table (exFAT). The agreement covers the use of exFAT in smartphones distributed by Sharp based on the Android platform. Today’s deal marks continued momentum by Microsoft for its exFAT technology licensing program.

exFAT is a modern file system that facilitates large files for audiovisual media and enables seamless data portability for an easy interchange of files between desktop PCs and other electronic devices. exFAT improves on its predecessor, the FAT file system, and greatly expands the size of files that flash memory devices can handle — by more than five times over the previous technology. It also greatly increases the speed with which those files can be accessed. 

Today’s agreement allows Sharp to incorporate the latest file system from Microsoft in its product portfolio and deliver faster response times and greater storage capabilities to consumers around the globe. 

“Consumers today move from mobile phones, to PCs, to home entertainment systems throughout their day — and they expect their media to move as seamlessly across those devices as they do,” said Horacio Gutierrez, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel, Intellectual Property Group at Microsoft. “This agreement allows Sharp to continue to stay ahead of the curve and give people around the world entertainment and productivity experiences that truly fit their lifestyles.”

Microsoft’s Commitment to Intellectual Property Collaboration

Microsoft offers flexible IP licensing programs that give companies access to many of the foundational technologies in its own products, allowing those companies to build devices, applications and services that work seamlessly with one another.

Since Microsoft launched its IP licensing program in December 2003, the company has entered into more than 1,100 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 R&D investments and its growing, broad patent and IP portfolio.

Microsoft has entered into similar exFAT patent licensing agreements with several leading consumer electronics manufacturers through its IP licensing program, including Panasonic Corp., SANYO Electric Company Ltd., Sony Corp. and Canon Inc.

More information on Microsoft’s IP licensing program is available athttp://www.microsoft.com/iplicensing, and information specifically related to Microsoft’s exFAT licensing program is available here.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. 

Basketball Brackets Give Way to Tax Brackets

Basketball Brackets Give Way to Tax Brackets
H&R Block can help on-the-go tax filers save time and money with mobile filing apps

FOR RELEASE MAR 28, 2012

While mobile technology brings the latest tournament basketball scores and bracket updates to fans’ smartphones, it also brings tax filing to the fingertips of tax return filing procrastinators. In roughly the time it takes for a TV timeout, taxpayers can complete and file a tax return using the latest in mobile technology.

In addition to checking brackets on a smartphone or tablet, taxpayers can easily and quickly file a federal form for free with H&R Block. On the iPad tablet, filing the 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ forms is free all tax season. Taxpayers with smartphones can file both a simple federal form and state form completely free through April 17 using the industry’s only fully free mobile tax filing products. Just download the free H&R Block At Home™ 1040EZ app on the iPhone and an Android smartphones, and the rest is a slam dunk. 

“While the hoops tournament is down to its final four teams, taxpayers can score an easy victory with H&R Block’s entirely free mobile filing app for federal 1040EZ and state tax returns using our iPhone and Android apps,” said Jason Houseworth, president of digital tax solutions at H&R Block. 

$100,000 Sweepstakes Count Down
Even if their team is no longer playing, H&R Block At Home clients can still win big in the company’s $100,000 Grand Prize Giveaway. To date more than 1,200 clients across the country have won more than $200,000 in the sweepstakes by using the H&R Block At Home digital tax filing products. 

In addition to the $100,000 grand prize that will be awarded after April 17, daily cash prizes of $50, $100 and $500 are given away every hour, all day through April 17 to taxpayers who file their tax returns using the H&R Block At Home software, online or iPad tablet products. For the official rules and other sweepstakes information, visit www.hrbathomegiveaway.com/shared.

The H&R Block At Home products offer the H&R Block guarantees of free audit support, free audit representation, accurate calculations and the maximum tax refund to which the taxpayer is entitled.

H&R Block’s tax professionals provide guaranteed tax return preparation services in-person at retail tax offices open year-round and through Block Live^SM, the only face-to-face online tax preparation experience available in the industry. Do-it-yourself filers benefit from the expertise and guidance of The Tax Institute at H&R Block^® when using H&R Block At Home™ on their computers, tablets and smart phones. Because understanding taxes is an integral part of managing personal finances, H&R Block keeps the conversation going with clients all year via blogs, tweets and Facebook status updates.

###