Microsoft Communications Protocol Program
The Microsoft Communications Protocol Program (MCPP) facilitates the use and implementation of technical specifications for protocols that are implemented and used in Windows client operating systems (specifically Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional and successors including Windows 7) to interoperate or communicate natively with Windows Server operating systems (specifically Windows NT 3.1 and successors including Windows Server 2008 R2). The technical specifications are listed and available here.
The patents that cover the MCPP technical specifications are available via the MCPP License Agreement (PDF file). They cover protocols that perform certain client or server tasks. Pricing for each of the tasks is provided in Exhibit A to the MCPP License Agreement and Exhibit A to the Server-to-Server Addendum.
The MCPP License Agreement also includes the following benefits at no additional charge:
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Optional Technical Account Manager (TAM) to help resolve documentation questions;
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Optional viewing rights to Windows source code to assist with implementing the protocols; and
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Access Plugfests and Interoperability Labs.
An addendum to the MCPP License Agreement that grants rights to use those protocols that cover certain Server-to-Server protocols is also available.
Microsoft is committed to working constructively to craft appropriate royalties and customized licenses that may depart from programmatic offerings to address the needs of a particular licensee.
If you have questions about the MCPP License Agreement, please email the MCPP Licensing Team.
To assist in determining whether a patent license may be beneficial, Microsoft provides the following list of patents and patent applications that may cover the technical specifications under MCPP.
Microsoft has made patent pledges with respect to:
For more information, visit 
MCPP Patent Pledges.
Microsoft designed MCPP to meet the obligation to make protocol technology available to relevant parties and to allow the use of Microsoft technology in the manner required in the Final Judgment entered in United States v. Microsoft Corporation, Civil Action No. 98-1232 (CKK), United States District Court for the District of Columbia on November 12, 2002, and pursuant to the Final Judgment entered in State of New York, et al. v. Microsoft Corporation, Civil Action No. 98-1233 (CKK), United States District Court for the District of Columbia on November 1, 2002, and November 12, 2002.
