EOS magazine news

Asana, Canon Inc., Dropbox, Google, Newegg and SAP have formed the License on Transfer (LOT) Network , a cooperative patent-licensing agreement that will cut down on patent troll litigation and the growing practice of patent privateering. Patent litigation reached an all-time peak last year, with more than 6,000 lawsuits filed. Most of those suits came from non-practicing entities, also known as patent trolls—companies that don’t have a business outside of licensing and litigating patents. More than 70 percent of the patents used by trolls come from still-operating companies. Indeed, in a growing trend called privateering, companies are selling patents to trolls that then use those patents to attack other companies. In some cases, those companies arrange to get a cut of revenue generated from the trolls’ suits. The LOT agreement is a new kind of royalty-free cross-license meant to address these growing systemic problems. Member companies receive a license when the pate

The Canon Print Service is a mobile print offering that enables users to print from any Android version 4.4 (KitKat) enabled devices as well as select HP Slate devices to select Canon models. Canon Print Service works on top of Android’s recently announced printing framework and enables users to print their business documents, personal documents and photographs to Canon printing systems over a wireless network. The addition of Canon Print Service to Canon’s mobile solutions portfolio expands easy Android device printing support. Users who already own compatible Canon systems don’t need to upgrade their printers, nor download new driver software. Users will enjoy printing with options, including paper size, number of copies and orientation. The Android KitKat plug-in can be downloaded from the Google Play Store at:

Microsoft and Canon have broadened their strategic alliance with the announcement of a broad patent cross-licensing agreement. With this agreement, Microsoft and Canon gain licenses to each other’s highly valued and growing patent portfolios. “This collaborative approach with Canon allows us to deliver inventive technologies that benefit consumers around the world,” said Microsoft's Nick Psyhogeos. “Microsoft believes cooperative licensing is an effective way to accelerate innovation while reducing patent disputes.” This agreement covers a broad range of products and services each company offers, including certain digital imaging and mobile consumer products. Microsoft and Canon have a long history of collaborating to bring high-quality, cutting-edge products to consumers, including color technology. Contents of the agreement will not be disclosed. “This agreement is a natural extension of our longstanding relationship with Microsoft and commitment to develop