Japanese electronics maker Sharp has signed an IP licensing agreement with Microsoft to use its Extended File Allocation Table (exFAT) in Android smartphones distributed by Sharp.

exFAT is a file system that facilitates large files for audiovisual media and enables data portability for an easy interchange of files between desktop PCs and other electronic devices.

In addition, the exFAT expands the size of files, that flash memory devices can handle, by more than five times over the previous technology.

The new file system from Microsoft also increases the speed with which those files can be accessed.

The new agreement IP licensing agreement will allow Sharp to integrate the new file system from Microsoft in its product portfolio and deliver enhance response times and storage capabilities to consumers.

Microsoft offers flexible IP licensing programmes that give companies access to many of the foundational technologies in its own products, allowing those companies to build devices, applications and services that work with one another.

Previously, Microsoft had signed similar exFAT patent licensing agreements with consumer electronics manufacturers including Panasonic, SANYO Electric Company, Sony and Canon.