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Microsoft, Autodesk lose patent case
AP via MSNBC ^
| 04/20/06
| unknown
Posted on 04/20/2006 9:13:27 AM PDT by Salo
Microsoft, Autodesk lose patent case $133 million verdict awarded in favor of Michigan tech firm
DALLAS - A federal jury in East Texas returned a $133 million verdict against Microsoft Corp. and Autodesk Inc. for infringing on two software patents owned by a Michigan technology company.
The lawsuit, filed in 2004 by z4 Technologies of Commerce Township, Mich., claimed Microsoft and Autodesk used two z4 patents in their Office and AutoCad software programs without paying royalty fees.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
TOPICS: Business/Economy; Crime/Corruption; Technical
KEYWORDS: autodesk; microsoft; patent
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Grist for the mill.
1
posted on
04/20/2006 9:13:29 AM PDT
by
Salo
To: ShadowAce; N3WBI3
2
posted on
04/20/2006 9:13:58 AM PDT
by
Salo
To: rdb3; chance33_98; Calvinist_Dark_Lord; Bush2000; PenguinWry; GodGunsandGuts; CyberCowboy777; ...
3
posted on
04/20/2006 9:14:14 AM PDT
by
ShadowAce
(Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
To: Salo
Well, Billy has been known, since day one really, of not always using his OWN ideas...so to speak.
4
posted on
04/20/2006 9:14:48 AM PDT
by
EagleUSA
To: Salo
5
posted on
04/20/2006 9:17:23 AM PDT
by
Red Badger
(In warfare there are no constant conditions. --- The Art of War by SunTzu)
To: Red Badger
"Pocket change"
Yep I am sure the bean counters looked at the costs from all angles at MS. Just ask Peter Norton about how they work.
6
posted on
04/20/2006 9:19:35 AM PDT
by
reagandemo
(The battle is near are you ready for the sacrifice?)
To: Red Badger
Not to the plaintiffs.
Pocket change........
7
posted on
04/20/2006 9:22:04 AM PDT
by
Salo
To: Salo
The article doesn't mention just what the technology was the they were infringing on.........
8
posted on
04/20/2006 9:24:32 AM PDT
by
Red Badger
(In warfare there are no constant conditions. --- The Art of War by SunTzu)
To: Salo
The patents were created and owned by David Colvin, owner of privately held z4. U.S. patent 6,044,471 refers to a method and apparatus for securing software to reduce unauthorized use, while patent 6,785,825 involves a method for securing software to decrease software piracy.
How... ironic.
9
posted on
04/20/2006 9:25:04 AM PDT
by
newgeezer
(Just my opinion, of course. Your mileage may vary.)
To: Red Badger
The article doesn't mention just what the technology was the they were infringing on.I think it does. See my post #9.
10
posted on
04/20/2006 9:26:21 AM PDT
by
newgeezer
(Just my opinion, of course. Your mileage may vary.)
To: newgeezer
Well autodesk should countersue because the z4 doesn't work.
And I personally don't think autodesk would steal it, nor microsoft.
To: Salo
Have I mentioned how much I hate software patents? They are ripe for extortion companies like this one to rip off those who actually produce stuff.
To: Salo
Too bad the author of the DO-loop didn't think of this scam.
13
posted on
04/20/2006 9:39:13 AM PDT
by
Ford4000
To: RedBloodedAmerican
Well autodesk should countersue because the z4 doesn't work.LOL. "This technology I stole from you doesn't work. I demand you pay me for the damages."
14
posted on
04/20/2006 9:40:32 AM PDT
by
newgeezer
(Just my opinion, of course. Your mileage may vary.)
To: RedBloodedAmerican; ShadowAce
I personally don't think autodesk would steal it, nor microsoft.You're absolutely correct. The court records show Bill Gates telling the judge "--ah, er, we weren't exactly stealing the software your honor, we were sharing it!"
To: antiRepublicrat
I agree with you - I am not a programmer, but I think copyright laws might be able to cover issues like this. Any bit-twiddlers care to offer an opinion?
Have I mentioned how much I hate software patents? They are ripe for extortion companies like this one to rip off those who actually produce stuff.
16
posted on
04/20/2006 9:50:28 AM PDT
by
Salo
To: Salo
Any bit-twiddlers care to offer an opinion? Actually, that was my opinion as a bit-twiddler.
To: newgeezer
To: Salo
More Patent Laundering.
Buy a useless company, sue the big guys.
These companies develop nothing, create nothing except $$$ for lawyers.
19
posted on
04/20/2006 9:56:07 AM PDT
by
Zathras
To: Zathras
Not entirely true - I almost got to watch a bunch of tech-challenged morons go through Crackberry withdraw symptoms, so these patent vultures do serve a small purpose. :-)
These companies develop nothing, create nothing except $$$ for lawyers.
20
posted on
04/20/2006 10:00:46 AM PDT
by
Salo
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