Microsoft has entered into an IP licensing agreement with Sharp to use the latest Extended File Allocation Table (exFAT).

The agreement covers the use of exFAT in smartphones distributed by Sharp based on the Android platform.

exFAT is a modern file system that facilitates large files for audiovisual media and enables seamless data portability for an easy interchange of files between desktop PCs and other electronic devices. exFAT improves on its predecessor, the FAT file system, and greatly expands the size of files that flash memory devices can handle - by more than five times over the previous technology. It also greatly increases the speed with which those files can be accessed.

Today's agreement allows Sharp to incorporate the latest file system from Microsoft in its product portfolio.

Microsoft has entered into similar exFAT patent licensing agreements with several consumer electronics manufacturers through its IP licensing program, including Panasonic Corp., SANYO Electric Company Ltd., Sony Corp. and Canon Inc.