Bill Gates announced that he expects Microsoft to file 3,000 patents this year. This 1,000 patent increase over patents filed last year comes as Microsoft is increasing the licensing of its intellectual property. Already Microsoft is shown demonstrations of its patents. Most recently the improved method for browsing through a library of digital photos and videos that Microsoft"s Research group has been working on.
REDMOND, Wash.--Bill Gates wants more credit for Microsoft"s inventions.
The Microsoft chairman said on Thursday that the company expects to file 3,000 patent applications this year, up from a little over 2,000 last year and 1,000 just a few years ago. The move comes as Microsoft is trying to boost its licensing of its intellectual property to other companies, an effort that began last year. "We"re at an early state on that but it is something that we are pretty excited (about)," Gates said, speaking at the company"s yearly financial analysts meeting here.
It"s not just a goal of attaining sheer numbers, Gates said. "We think patent for patent, what we are doing is, if anything, more important than what others are doing," Gates said. In addition to patents related to XML and other software technologies, Microsoft has received some unusual patents in the past year including a new type of apple and a methods for using human skin to transmit power and data.