Nikon is probably planing to push built-in Wi-Fi to new camera models – they just signed a multi-year license agreement with WiLAN which will provide Nikon with access to WiLAN technology for use in Wi-Fi-enabled products. Several Nikon Coolpix models already have built-in Wi-Fi (for example the Coolpix S50c). It is interesting to see if Nikon will add Wi-Fi to their DSLR models.
For the full press release, click the link below:
OTTAWA, Canada – October 29, 2009 – Wi-LAN Inc. (“WiLAN” or the “Company”) (TSX:WIN), a leading technology innovation and licensing company, is pleased to announce that Nikon Corporation (“Nikon”) has signed a multi-year license agreement for wireless technologies. This license agreement provides Nikon with access to WiLAN technology for use in Wi-Fi-enabled products.
Nikon has been a pioneer in optical technology around the world since 1917. Today, Nikon is a global leader in the manufacture and sale of precision optical equipment and imaging products including a range of professional digital single lens reflex (DSLR) and its COOLPIX line of consumer-focused digital cameras. Wi-Fi connectivity has been available in select Nikon digital cameras since 2005.
“Nikon, a technology leader in the digital imaging industry and well-respected consumer electronics OEM from Japan, is a welcome addition to our licensee family,” said Andrew Parolin, Vice President, Wireless Technologies. “Securing this license with Nikon reinforces the value of our wireless technology in the Wi-Fi market, one of our key technology markets.”
The specific terms of the agreements are confidential. This license agreement brings the total number of new companies licensed in the fourth quarter to seven, the total number of companies that have licensed wireless technologies to date to 79 and the total number of companies that have licensed WiLAN technologies to 202.
About WiLAN
WiLAN, founded in 1992, is a leading technology innovation and licensing company. WiLAN has licensed its intellectual property to over 200 companies worldwide. Inventions in our portfolio have been licensed by companies that manufacture or sell a wide range of communication and consumer electronics products including 3G cellular handsets, Wi-Fi-enabled laptops, Wi-Fi/DSL routers, xDSL infrastructure equipment, WiMAX base stations and digital televisions. WiLAN has a large and growing portfolio of more than 720 issued or pending patents. For more information: www.wilan.com.
