ABOUT LICENSING

How you license IP from Microsoft depends on the type of IP. Many of our offerings have standard licensing terms; however, in many cases we can negotiate custom terms to meet your company's needs.

Getting StartedHow to License
The general licensing process is simple; however, some of our offerings, such as those with custom business terms, have a more involved process:

In general, you follow these steps to license one of our technologies:

Getting Started

Licensing Policy

Common Questions

Select an offering on this Web site and read the available information.
Contact a licensing executive by clicking the e-mail link listed under Contact on the Microsoft IP Catalog page for the technology that interests you.
Sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with Microsoft if your company doesn't already have one.
Engage in a technical discussion to ensure the IP license will fit your business needs.
Discuss the business terms to ensure they fit licensees’ business model.
Agreement drafted by Microsoft and sent to the licensee.
Discuss and sign a licensing agreement.
Deliverables provided by Microsoft under the terms of the agreement.
Microsoft Contract Manager will ensure agreement is managed throughout the term of the agreement.


Some of our technologies are available with standard terms while many others have negotiable terms that can be tailored to your company's needs.

For more information, please see the Common Questions about Microsoft IP Licensing page.

Programs for Your Business
We have a variety of licensing programs available, depending on your type of business, but you can choose technology for licensing from any of our programs.

• ISVs: Component IP, Interoperability IP
• Entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and rapidly growing companies: IP Ventures
• Global 1000 corporations: Component IP, Interoperability IP, Brand Licensing
• Component IP offers licensing of components that can speed development and add unique value in a wide range of applications.
• Interoperability IP offers licensing of protocols, standards, file formats, and schemas so that your products can interoperate with Microsoft products.
• IP Ventures offers licensing and sale of early-stage innovations from top computer scientists.
• Brand Licensing offers partners the opportunity to develop and sell products under one of the Microsoft brands.


• World Intellectual Property Organization
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
• European Patent Office
• Intellectual Property Owners Association