Microsoft ordered to pay $521 million

Lokie · 26-December-03, 07:08 AM

A federal court in Chicago has ruled that Microsoft must pay $521 million to a Web technology company and the University of California after finding that the software giant's Internet Explorer infringed one of their patents.

The company, called Eolas Technologies, originally filed suit against Microsoft in 1999, alleging that the Redmond, Wash., giant infringed on one of its patents when enabling Internet Explorer to use plug-ins and applets in the software. The company's technology was first outlined in a patent application in the early 1990s.

More here.

Joey · 26-December-03, 11:26 AM

take that M$, although M$ will probably raise prices to make up for the lose. lol

neotheducky · 26-December-03, 11:29 AM

I think its just another way for some company to get some spending money. I mean really, how many programs allow you to use plugins and applets? Winamp anyone?

Some company just saw an opurtunity and took it. It seems to be a common occurance today.

Monsignor Funkibut · 26-December-03, 11:31 AM

No ... M$ will just deduct year-end bonuses back out of the next employee pay period - in effect retroactively cancelling the bonuses. Certain executives will of course be exempt from the rollback.

Merry Christmas from Microsoft

-MF

scapegoat · 26-December-03, 11:35 AM

it really seems to me as just another case of out of control litigation. Someone had a patent that minutly resembles something another company did, and they sued.... stupid stupid stupid

Lokie · 26-December-03, 11:45 AM

This would prolly be stuck in appeals for a long time. At least long enough for the intrest to build up on certain accounts and then they will pay.

26-December-03, 07:08 AM		#1 (permalink)
Lokie Custom What?	Microsoft ordered to pay $521 million A federal court in Chicago has ruled that Microsoft must pay $521 million to a Web technology company and the University of California after finding that the software giant's Internet Explorer infringed one of their patents. The company, called Eolas Technologies, originally filed suit against Microsoft in 1999, alleging that the Redmond, Wash., giant infringed on one of its patents when enabling Internet Explorer to use plug-ins and applets in the software. The company's technology was first outlined in a patent application in the early 1990s. More here.

26-December-03, 11:31 AM		#4 (permalink)
Monsignor Funkibut Master VB Pr'hoe'grammer	M$ Xmas bonuses No ... M$ will just deduct year-end bonuses back out of the next employee pay period - in effect retroactively cancelling the bonuses. Certain executives will of course be exempt from the rollback. Merry Christmas from Microsoft -MF

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26-December-03, 11:26 AM		#2 (permalink)
Joey Apex Advanced Techie	take that M$, although M$ will probably raise prices to make up for the lose. lol

26-December-03, 11:29 AM		#3 (permalink)
neotheducky Rubber Duck-Hoe	I think its just another way for some company to get some spending money. I mean really, how many programs allow you to use plugins and applets? Winamp anyone? Some company just saw an opurtunity and took it. It seems to be a common occurance today.

26-December-03, 11:35 AM		#5 (permalink)
scapegoat Apex Tech God	it really seems to me as just another case of out of control litigation. Someone had a patent that minutly resembles something another company did, and they sued.... stupid stupid stupid

26-December-03, 11:45 AM		#6 (permalink)
Lokie Custom What?	This would prolly be stuck in appeals for a long time. At least long enough for the intrest to build up on certain accounts and then they will pay.