has announcedthe renewal of patent cross-licensing agreement with company Funai Electric, according to an April27 news release.

Thecross-licensing deal covers a range of consumer audio-video products. Therenewal is Microsoft's latest patent deal, among over 1,200 licensingagreements it has entered into since 2003.

FunaiElectric is a major manufacturer under FUNAI and other brands includingPhilips, Magnavox, DX Broadtec, Emerson, SANYO and Kodak.