Microsoft is licensing a set of patents based on “file storage and other system technologies” to GoPro, the Redmond-based software giant announced today.
“This agreement with GoPro shows the incredible breadth of technology sharing enabled through patent transactions,” president of of Microsoft licensing arm Nick Psyhogeos said in a release. “Microsoft’s licensing of personal wearable technologies is seeing strong demand as we partner with companies from all industries to optimize solutions for their customers around the globe.”
Further details on the licensing, from terms and prices to the patents involved, are sparse at the moment. GoPro has been struggling recently, perhaps due to a tapped-out market and current owners seeing little reason to upgrade. On Wednesday, the company announced it was cutting back its product line to just three devices.
Microsoft has a wealth of interesting patents, so narrowing down the ones that may interest GoPro is a Sisyphean task. But the line about “wearable” tech could point to Microsoft’s hyperlapse tech, which may make some GoPro videos a little more watchable.
Of course, “file storage and other system technologies” is pretty vague. Microsoft has plenty of patents dealing with file storage. And with GoPro’s need to store huge 4K video files in little cameras, it may be something as mundane as adding 15 minutes worth of storage to your existing Hero 4 Black.
But whatever it is, investors are looking forward to it. GoPro stock is up nearly 6 percent in after-hours trading, helping it to rebound from a sharp decline earlier in the week after a disappointing earnings outlook.