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Powering transformative change

A new generation of technology innovation is revolutionizing how people work, connect, and experience the world. Explore our technology licensing programs.

Microsoft technology transfer program offerings

To help companies and organizations worldwide build on this momentum and achieve more, we offer several technology transfer and licensing programs that accelerate product development. Microsoft’s investments in research and development help create new and better Microsoft products, services, and experiences for the benefit of our customers.

Learn about Microsoft Technology Licensing

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Azure RTOS

Azure RTOS is a real time operating system (RTOS) for Internet of Things (IoT) and edge devices. Azure RTOS is easy to install, learn, use, debug, verify, certify, and maintain. As a result, Azure RTOS is one of the most popular real time operating systems for embedded IoT devices.

Explore Azure RTOS

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exFAT

A file storage protocol that can handle extremely large file sizes, enabling seamless file exchange between devices that use removable storage, across devices and operating systems.

Learn about exFAT

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Exchange ActiveSync (EAS)

A powerful communications protocol for syncing email, calendars, contacts, and tasks on tablets and mobile phones. Accurate and reliable, EAS is a key technology for mobile and tablet makers as well as app developers.

Read about EAS

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Server Message Block (SMB)

A file sharing protocol that serves as a ‘common language’ for local area networks. SMB allows seamless file transfer across operating systems and networked devices, including printers, faxes, and scanners.

Read about SMB

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Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)

The foundation of remote desktop client solutions that enable a Windows desktop to be run remotely, even on non-Windows devices.

Learn about RDP

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Airband

Royalty-free access to patents and sample source code to enable broadband through use of TV white space spectrum in rural areas.

Explore the Airband Initiative

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PlayReady

PlayReady has a wide and deep ecosystem that reaches a broad array of devices and operating systems to protect premium content while driving the optimal user experience.

Learn about PlayReady

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Microsoft Windows Media Components

Original transform based codes developed by Microsoft and built into most versions of Windows. Audio codecs include Pro, Lossless, and Voice. Video codec includes Microsoft’s implementation of the VC-1 standard.

Explore Windows Media Components

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Microsoft Azure IP Advantage

Azure IP Advantage protects Azure customers against IP risks when innovating in the cloud and at the edge. The program includes a “patent pick” from 10,000 patents to help defend against an IP lawsuit that targets Azure workloads or the software on IoT devices that are connected to Azure, among other IP benefits.

Read about Azure IP Advantage

Learn more about our offerings

Microsoft Technology Licensing (MTL)

Microsoft Technology Licensing (MTL) is a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation. MTL manages the company’s patents and tech transfer activities.

Open Specifications Licensing Programs

To facilitate interoperability with its most popular products, Microsoft licenses the patents that cover technical specifications for the protocols used to communicate with those products, its most popular binary file formats, and key standards and languages that are implemented in certain Microsoft products.

Visit the Dev Center

Intellectual property

Innovation is at the heart of Microsoft as a company.

Explore Microsoft IP

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