Melco Holdings, a parent company of Buffalo Inc (News - Alert). and Buffalo Group, has announced it entered into an agreement with Microsoft  to offer the customers of Buffalo Group with patent coverage for their use of technologies that run on Linux and other open source software.

 

Buffalo Group’s so-called “Network Attached Storage” or “NAS” devices run on Linux and are designed to provide a central place to store customer data. The devices are simple to install and the LinkStation and TeraStation NAS products provide a central location to store, access, and share the files.

 

According to David Kaefer, general manager of Intellectual Property and Licensing at Microsoft (News - Alert), “Many companies have entered similar agreements with Microsoft covering their Linux-based offerings, something that is a reflection of both Microsoft’s decades-long commitment to R&D in the operating system space and the high-quality patent portfolio we’ve developed through our R&D efforts.”

 

By working with Microsoft, Buffalo Group said it also plans to adopt Windows Storage Server for their NAS business in addition to ensuring that its open source and Linux-embedded devices had the appropriate IP protections.

 

The company also recently announced the availability of a partner program intended to help hosting providers and their resellers market hosted unified communications to small and midsize business (SMB) customers. The new program, Microsoft Communication Services, enables service providers to offer higher-margin services, create customer loyalty and become a trusted advisor. It is open to Microsoft partners that have attained the Hosting Solutions competency.