Toshiba Corp., Taiyo Yuden Co. and IBM Japan Ltd. said Tuesday they will form a joint venture that will authorize the use of a trademark for the new Bluetooth wireless technology.
Bluetooth, a registered trademark of Swedish telecommunications equipment maker Telefonaktiebolaget L.M. Ericsson, enables users to connect personal computers, cellphones and other mobile devices via wireless links, eliminating the need for connecting cables.
The Bluetooth logo is mandatory for all products that claim to meet the Bluetooth technology standard.
The three firms said the new joint venture will have Japan's only Bluetooth Qualification Body authorized to organize and oversee provision of support to manufacturers seeking Bluetooth product qualification.
Some 80.5 percent of the new venture, which is to be capitalized at 40 million yen, will be owned by Toshiba, 10 percent by Taiyo Yuden and 9.5 percent by IBM Japan, the companies said.
It will be incorporated in February and open for business in April.
The company aims for sales of more than 1 billion yen in fiscal 2005.