The Extended File Allocation Table (exFAT) File System Specification was developed by Microsoft, and is protected by multiple patents, including US Patent Number 2009/0164440 A1. All implementations of the exFAT File System, included those based on open source code (such as Linux, Android, FATfsor other), are subject to royalty payments to Microsoft. This means that if you develop and ship a product that incorporates any functionality covered by the exFAT patents, regardless of where the code comes from, you are obligated to pay royalties in advance of shipment in order to comply with Microsoft’s licensing terms.
Embedded Access is a partner of Microsoft and is authorized to collect exFAT royalties on their behalf without requiring you to sign a Microsoft agreement or to make payments directly to Microsoft. We offer a simple and economical way to keep your products legal. Contact sales@embedded-access.com for more details.
Though you can use any implementation of exFAT that you like, Embedded Access has developed a small and efficient exFAT File System that can be licensed. Check out our product here.