Amazon. com announced on Monday to pay Microsoft an undisclosed sum for a patent cross-licensing deal between the companies.

The agreement gives Microsoft and Amazon an extended access to each other's patent portfolio, including a wide range of products and technology, along with Amazon's Kindle electronic book reader.

However, Microsoft, the world's largest software giant, did not disclosed any specific terms relating to the deal, but indicated that Amazon will pay it an undisclosed amount of money as part of the agreement.

In addition, the agreement will protect Amazon from patent litigation against its Kindle e-reader, which involves some open-source software components, and against its use of Linux-based servers, Microsoft posted.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is also reported to have undergone patent deals with several vendors that include coverage for their use of Linux and open source, including Novell, LG Electronics and Fuji Xerox. The deals are part of a broader IP licensing program that Microsoft kicked off in 2002.

Microsoft posted that its licensing program aims to grant other companies access to its research and development efforts and its growing portfolio of patents. It has reported to have undergone more than 600 licensing deals since 2002.