Camera maker Nikon has followed a long line of other hardware manufacturers and paid money to Microsoft to license its technology.

Microsoft rather coyly said that although it wouldn't tell us the terms of the cross-licensing agreement, it's being "compensated" by Nikon. That means cash.

Horacio Gutierrez, VP of intellectual property at the Vole, preened himself on Microsoft's latest coup. "This agreement is another great example of how industry leaders are coming together to collaborate through intellectual property licensing, and by doing so enabling innovation that will ultimately benefit the consumer."

Nikon's Naoki Tomino was slightly less ebullient. He said Nikon looks forward to collaborating with Microsoft.  X