It is shown that the direct exchange interaction of ions possessing el
ectrons (holes) with orbital angular momenta L and l always contains a
contribution V0L.l + V-1 (L.(B) over cap)((B) over cap. l), where (B)
over cap is a unit vector along the bond connecting the ions. As a re
sult, taking the spin-orbit interaction into account gives rise to a p
seudodipole interaction of the spins (total angular momenta) of the io
ns under study and to uniaxial anisotropy. The possibility of using th
is pseudodipole interaction to explain the magnetic properties of cupr
ates is discussed. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.