Nikon and Microsoft Sign Patent Sharing Agreement

29 Aug, 2008 Digital Photography

I recently read the announcement that Nikon and Microsoft have signed a patent sharing agreement. The deal basically gives each company access to the other’s patents. There were not many details revealed about the deal at the time of the annoucement, except that this would allow Nikon and Microsoft to continue to develop wireless camera technology and RAW image formats.

What is interesting is how this announcement relates to the recently announced Nikon Coolpix P6000. Rather than use the common NEF RAW format, Nikon have chosen to use the NRW RAW image format, which is based on Windows Imaging Component (and you would assume co-developed with Microsoft.) Why Nikon would choose to develop an alternative RAW image format is not clear. The NEF RAW image format is standard on all Nikon DSLRs and their top-of-the-range compact cameras. One thing to note is that Mac users will initially be unable to open the new NRW image format until Apple releases an update to Core Image.

I can understand Microsoft wanting to get more aggressively involved in digital photography, as the Apple Mac has become a very popular platform among professional photographers. This can have a flow-through effect to amateur photographers, who try to use similar technologies to the professionals. Microsoft may well also look at entering the digital video market more aggressively. With the increase in popularity of Linux as an alternative desktop solution, Microsoft must look at specific market segments with which to gain market share and credibility.