Microsoft and Amazon ink patent & technology deal

[Marcia]

From Reuters Seattle: [reuters.com]

Microsoft Corp said on Monday it signed a patent agreement with Amazon.com Inc that allows the two companies to share technology in several areas including Amazon's Kindle electronic book reader and Amazon's use of Linux-based servers.

The companies did not disclose details, but Microsoft said Amazon would pay it an undisclosed amount under the patent license agreement.

According to another source, specific details of the deal are confidential.