BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Microsoft and Linux distributor Xandros announced Monday a technical and legal collaboration, the latest step in the software giant's ongoing program to partner with open-source companies.

    Microsoft said the deal is part of its strategy to partner with open-source firms, including Novell and Zend Technologies.

    "Customers win when their platform providers build collaborative relationships," said Bill Hilf, general manager of Platform Strategy at Microsoft. "We have been working with commercial open source companies to deliver better value to our customers in areas like server interoperability, systems management and office document formats."

    During the next five years, Microsoft and Xandros will work on improving interoperability between their servers to improve systems management.

    The agreement calls for Microsoft to provide patent covenants for Xandros customers that ensure they are not infringing on Microsoft's intellectual property, according to the companies.

    Xandros will also ship software for desktop productivity applications that translates between the Open Document Format and OpenXML, which is Microsoft's own document format.

    The agreement will make it easier for Xandros customers to run a mix of Xandros and Microsoft software, Andreas Typaldos, CEO of Xandros, said in a statement.

    (Agencies)