Licensing Process

Microsoft technology helps thousands of companies around the world build better products and achieve more. If we can help your company, we want to hear from you.

At Microsoft, we seek to take an open, collaborative approach to licensing our patented technologies. We work cooperatively with our licensees and prospective licensees, and we want to see our licensees succeed. In collaboration with more than 700 innovative companies worldwide, we have entered into more than 1,200 licensing agreements. The technology licensed in those agreements has helped to shape some of the world’s most iconic products.

This page explains some of the steps in obtaining a license.

Commencing the Licensing Process

Generally, the licensing process begins when a prospective licensee submits an inquiry online. If you need a license to use a specific Microsoft technology, or you feel you may need a license, we encourage you to reach out to us. Occasionally, Microsoft reaches out to commence discussions with companies that may need technology licenses.

To begin an inquiry, it is valuable to have the following information available:

Information about your company

This includes the full legal name of your company, its parent company (if any), and contact details including a phone number, email address, and website.

Information about your proposed product

This typically includes the nature of the product, an indicative timeframe in which the product will go to market, and what markets it will be sold in.

If there is an opportunity for Microsoft to work with you, a licensing executive will then be in touch to discuss your needs further.

Microsoft respects that some information about new ideas and products is sensitive in nature. Before commencing negotiations, the Microsoft and prospective licensees generally enter into a mutually binding non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

Benefits of a License

A licensing agreement with Microsoft allows you to use the licensed technology in your own products, subject to the terms specified in the license. Certain programs also offer other benefits, which may include access to source code, technical support, and other benefits.

Our Licensees

More than 700 of the world’s most dynamic companies have signed more than 1,200 licensing agreements in Microsoft. Microsoft licensees include some of the world’s best-known technology companies and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Contact Us

To begin the licensing process, or to learn more, contact a licensing executive.