Microsoft Loses in Eolas Patent Ruling
Posted by malebolgia on 29 September 2005 - 23:28 · 11 comments & 1308 views
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malebolgiaContact: via forum PM
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#1 Posted by Jugalator on 29 Sep 2005 - 23:34
- Hmm, this is some kind of company wohse business strategy seem to be to perform a lot of research and patent things along the way, then establishing a license program to profit from it. Can't say I like that... They should have clear plans to use their patented stuff for them to do this... But I guess that's not how it works.
Their news section is kind of funny... It's basically filled with patent case news...
They don't really seem to do much else...
Last edited by 21023 on 30 Sep 2005 - 00:13
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#2 Posted by AJCrowley Esq on 29 Sep 2005 - 23:50
- Welcome to the wonderful world of software patents, Microsoft are as big an abuser as anyone else...
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#3 Posted by raid517 on 30 Sep 2005 - 00:00
- I am no fan of MS (not by any measure) but this is a key example of where software patents stifle innovation, because this is a 'technology' that is incoporated in all browsers, not just IE. So how many web browser developers will be encouraged to innovate now, when faced with the prospect that they might be sued for doing so?
Thankfully this should have no impact in Europe as these patents are uneforcable there. But from shutting down peer to peer networks (instead of embracing them) to frivolous and damaging software patents, things are not looking too rosey on the technology front in the USA today.
GJ
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(1 reply)
#4 Posted by jstillion on 30 Sep 2005 - 00:01
- After Ms getting the paitent on "Double Click"..... not sure how I feel since it also applies to other web browsers that use plug-ins.
Never mind the Xerox "Think Tank" that defined computers as we know that both a young Steve Jobs / Bill Gates saw and Xerox saying this stuff will never work and dissolving the thing tank..
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#5 Posted by weenur on 30 Sep 2005 - 00:07
- I'm so against software patents and process patents.
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(1 reply)
#6 Posted by dougkinzinger on 30 Sep 2005 - 00:40
- Gosh when will this case end. I signed in just to comment on this. I've contacted one of the Microsoft attorneys representing Microsoft on this case (a friend of mine) and will post what he says when I hear back.
Eolas, just die!!
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#6.1 Posted by markjensen on 30 Sep 2005 - 14:58
- I rank up there with raid517, above, when it comes to my love of all things Microsoft.
However, this is a case they should have won! What went wrong? Software patents are used to stifle innovation and use of best practices. It will be interesting to hear what your contacts have to say.
Some may see that Eolas says that they won't use this against Open Source projects, but who is to say that won't change in the future? Or that they won't get bought out and their patent wielded as a litigation money-maker against every available target?
And, speaking of buying Eolas.... Why doesn't Microsoft just do it and make the patent theirs?
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#7 Posted by Fotix on 30 Sep 2005 - 02:25
- This really sucks. The Patent Office is one bureaucracy you'll never see me praise anytime soon.
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#8 Posted by macrosslover on 30 Sep 2005 - 05:16
- this is just retarded and stupid.
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#9 Posted by capeche on 30 Sep 2005 - 06:26
- I wonder if Ballmer also wants to "kill" Eolas, or maybe just throw a chair at them.
In a decision made public Wednesday, the patent office upheld the validity of a patent held by the University of California and its Eolas Technology spinoff. In 2003, a jury awarded more than $500 million in damages to the university and Eolas, but an appeals court this year partially upheld Microsoft's appeal, saying the company should be able to present evidence that similar inventions predated Eolas' patent application.