TomTom settles patent spat with Microsoft

TomTom will gain access to eight Microsoft patents under the deal

Sat-nav maker TomTom has settled its legal battle with Microsoft for an undisclosed sum, according to Microsoft.

TomTom will gain access to eight Microsoft patents under the deal, while Microsoft will receive a licence to use four patents which were at the centre of TomTom's countersuit. TomTom will also phase out the use of two Microsoft file-management systems.

"We were able to work with TomTom to develop a patent agreement that addresses their needs and ours in a pragmatic way," said Horacio Gutierrez, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel of intellectual property and licensing at Microsoft.

"When addressing intellectual property infringement issues, there are two possible paths: securing patent coverage or not using the technology at issue. Through this agreement, TomTom is choosing a combination of both paths to meet the unique needs of its business, and we are glad to help them do so."

Microsoft filed suit against TomTom in February, accusing the company of violating several patents related to in-vehicle navigation systems. TomTom filed a countersuit on 20 March, claiming that Microsoft was violating its own patents.