Microsoft and Gecad Technologies Announce Exchange ActiveSync Patent License Agreement
March 25th, 2009REDMOND, Wash., and BUCHAREST, Romania — March 25, 2009 — Microsoft Corp. and Gecad Technologies today announced a patent licensing agreement to implement Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync on Gecad’s AXIGEN Mail Server offering. The agreement allows AXIGEN e-mail servers to directly synchronize e-mail and data between mobile devices utilizing Microsoft’s Exchange ActiveSync technology. The Exchange ActiveSync protocol enables mobile client devices such as Windows Mobile-based smartphones to synchronize e-mail messages, calendar items, contacts, task lists and other mailbox data with AXIGEN Mail Server.
Gecad also announced that the product kits for AXIGEN Mail Server version 7.0 featuring Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync are available for download today at http://www.axigen.com.
While Microsoft has been licensing the Exchange ActiveSync protocol for mobile devices since 2003, Gecad Technologies joins a growing number of companies licensing the Exchange ActiveSync patents for implementation on a server.
This agreement extends the collaboration between the two companies, as AXIGEN recently became a member of Microsoft’s Empower initiative for independent software vendors. More information is available here.
Microsoft’s Commitment to Licensing Technology
The licensing agreement is another example of the important role intellectual property (IP) 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 recently announced an expansion of its Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync IP licensing program. These licensing efforts help 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.
Over the past few years, Microsoft has entered into Exchange ActiveSync licensing agreements with Apple Inc., Big Bang System Corp., DataViz Inc., Google Inc., Helio LLC, IXI Mobile (R&D) Ltd., Nokia Corp., Palm Inc., Remoba Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, Symbian Software Ltd. and Xandros Inc.
More information about Microsoft’s licensing programs is available at http://www.microsoft.com/iplicensing.
About AXIGEN and Gecad Technologies
Established in 2001, Gecad Technologies SA, member of the GECAD Group, is the vendor of AXIGEN, a messaging solution for professionals that ensures an efficient and secure worldwide communication environment and business growth for both service providers and companies of all sizes. Currently, AXIGEN is distributed internationally by over 170 partners from 80 countries and manages email traffic for more than 11,000 companies with 6 million end-users.
Our team of seasoned professionals, with 15 years of experience in messaging and IT security delivers cutting-edge products, by developing an innovative carrier-class technology based on proprietary architectures such as AXIGEN GrowSecure™, AXIGEN SmartProcessing™ and AXIGEN UltraStorage™. For more details, please visit www.axigen.com
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
