Microsoft plans to fight $200M patent court order
updated 12:15 pm EDT, Thu May 21, 2009
Microsoft loses $200M case
A Texas federal jury has ordered Microsoft Corp to pay out $200 million in damages to Toronto-based software maker i4i Limited for allegedly infringing a patent, the software giant announced on Wednesday. Microsoft, which is regularly at the receiving end of such lawsuits, went on to say it is planning on appealing the verdict, as it believes the award is unsupported by the evidence.
"The evidence clearly demonstrated that we do not infringe and that the i4i patent is invalid," a Microsoft spokesman said.
The privately-owned i4i, which makes software for manipulating documents, filed its lawsuit in 2007 and claimed Microsoft infringed one of its patents in both its Word document editor as well as in Windows Vista. The patent in question is related to separately manipulating a document's content and architecture, both of which are basic elements of either program.
Well
05/21, 12:59pm reply
On one hand, i4i is an actual company (we've used their software previously in a past job).
On the other hand, patenting the ability to change content or structure separately? Isn't that also what every HTML editor does?
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
testudo...
05/21, 03:33pm reply
you have a job? Who knew. I just figured you job and leisure activities involved expressing negativity towards others and their thoughts.
appleuzr
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Joined: Aug 2006
appleuzr
05/21, 03:36pm reply
Isn't that a little hypocritical? I'm surprised your starbucks manager lets you spend so much time surfing at work.
luckyday
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Joined: Apr 2008
Re: testudo
05/21, 04:06pm reply
I didn't say I had a job. I said a 'past job'. You should take back up English comprehension at some point.
Now, back to the grindstone...
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001
Broken system
05/21, 04:51pm reply
The patent system, as applied to computer software, is broken. Software should be covered by copyright alone. The copyright should apply to the source code. Too many patent fights are over broad ways of performing tasks and are more like patenting business methods than inventions. IMO. As someone who has never patented anything. Or written a line of code.
martinX
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Joined: Sep 2008
Patent vs. Copyright
05/21, 07:41pm (1 reply) reply
Patents exist for ideas, copyright for implementation. Both are critical for ongoing development of all things, in all areas. Both can, of course, be abused -- which is the real problem being faced.
dimmer
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2006
Interesting...
05/22, 07:34am reply
It's interesting how luckyday and testudo both found their way here to respond to my comment about a singular member. I think we're on to something here.
Even though I don't work at starbucks, I wouldn't have taken that comment negatively even if I was a starbucks employee. They're actually a great company. I thought you might have a little more creativity up your sleeve testudo...i mean...luckyday.
I'm sorry testudo, what I should have said was 'you've had a job?'. Is that better? I am so sorry I offended your superior wit. By the way i4i isn't an actual company, i4i, Inc. is though.
appleuzr
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Joined: Aug 2006
Re: interesting
05/22, 01:15pm reply
By the way i4i isn't an actual company, i4i, Inc. is though.
Seriously? That's the best you got? Well, from now on, make sure you specify "Apple, Inc.", not just "Apple", because there is no company called just "Apple".
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001