Founder Technology Group Corp., one of China?s largest PC makers, signed a Windows cooperative engagement agreement with Microsoft.

The agreement was signed at Microsoft?s headquarters in Redmond, Washington on Wednesday. According to the contract, the two companies will collaborate on joint marketing, sales and training programs to promote the use of genuine versions of Microsoft software on Founder-branded personal computer products for the Chinese market.

This announcement follows China's recent ruling obliging all PC makers to pre-install software on their products in an attempt to diminish piracy in the country.

"Founder is committed to delivering greater benefit, enhanced security and peace of mind to our users by ensuring that our product lines are installed with genuine software," Qi said. "Founder will purchase licenses of Simplified Chinese versions of Windows worth $250 million over the next three years. The agreement we signed today with Microsoft broadens our industry-leading position and demonstrates our ongoing efforts to protect intellectual property rights in the Chinese market."

In 2005, Founder sold 2.5 million PCs, solidifying its market position as China?s second-largest PC maker.

"Intellectual property rights protection is critical to the healthy development of China?s IT industry," said Kevin Turner, chief operating officer of Microsoft. "Microsoft is committed to working closely with industry partners, customers and governments to promote IPR protection and provide more value and greater services to our genuine software customers in China and around the world."