Microsoft settles another lawsuit & other past lawsuits... - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

Engineer_J · 04-12-2004, 09:23 PM

Microsoft Settles InterTrust Patent Suit
Mon Apr 12,11:45 AM ET

REDMOND, Wash. - Microsoft Corp. is paying $440 million to InterTrust Technologies Corp. to settle a three-year-old patent infringement lawsuit over technology for protecting music, movies and other digital content against piracy.

Monday's announcement marked the second settlement this month by the world's No. 1 software company. Microsoft agreed about two weeks ago to pay Sun Microsystems $1.6 billion to settle a private antitrust suit and resolve patent claims.

The settlement with InterTrust, of Santa Clara, Calif., resolves all legal issues between the two companies and grants Microsoft a license to InterTrust's patents on digital rights management, code designed to prevent the unauthorized copying of files, the companies said.

A key function of DRM is to limit the number of copies that can be made from a song or movie that is downloaded over the Internet — a growing business as the distribution of entertainment goes increasingly digital.

The settlement is part of an effort "to provide peace of mind for our customers and partners by letting them know that patent licensing is our responsibility," said Marshall Phelps, Microsoft deputy general counsel and corporate vice president of intellectual property, or IP.

With the agreement, customers can use Microsoft products and services without a license from InterTrust. Developers, however, may need a license from InterTrust for other uses, including the combination of Microsoft technology with third-party technology, according to the joint statement.

InterTrust, owned by a joint venture of Sony Corp (NYSE:SNE - news) (news - web sites)., Philips Electronics NV and the investment banking company Stephens Inc., sued Microsoft in April 2001.

At the time, InterTrust officials talked of trying to halt sales of the then-new Windows XP (news - web sites) operating system and said damages could amount to billions of dollars.

The lawsuit followed a breakdown in licensing talks in 1998-2000, when Microsoft was considering an investment of more than $100 million in InterTrust. Settlement talks began at the urging of a judge last summer.

Last month Microsoft agreed to settle a patent lawsuit filed by AT&T Corp. over voice-recognition technology for terms that were not disclosed.

Last year Microsoft settled claims by Time Warner Inc. involving Netscape Communications, now owned by Time Warner's America Online unit, and paid $35 million to settle a case brought by Immersion Corp. over joystick technology.

In morning trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market, Microsoft shares rose 14 cents to $25.62.

Ruined · 04-12-2004, 09:45 PM

Engineer_J · 04-13-2004, 04:34 AM

I just think it is amazing how many times MS gets sued and loses. I mean, one or two cases is one thing, but surely this is a pattern of abuses on both the consumer and patent rights of several companies over several years. One of the reasons while I love my X-Box, I dislike Microsoft as a company.

04-12-2004, 09:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
Engineer_J The Gordon Gekko of Games Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Dallas, TX, USA	Microsoft settles another lawsuit & other past lawsuits... Microsoft Settles InterTrust Patent Suit Mon Apr 12,11:45 AM ET REDMOND, Wash. - Microsoft Corp. is paying $440 million to InterTrust Technologies Corp. to settle a three-year-old patent infringement lawsuit over technology for protecting music, movies and other digital content against piracy. Monday's announcement marked the second settlement this month by the world's No. 1 software company. Microsoft agreed about two weeks ago to pay Sun Microsystems $1.6 billion to settle a private antitrust suit and resolve patent claims. The settlement with InterTrust, of Santa Clara, Calif., resolves all legal issues between the two companies and grants Microsoft a license to InterTrust's patents on digital rights management, code designed to prevent the unauthorized copying of files, the companies said. A key function of DRM is to limit the number of copies that can be made from a song or movie that is downloaded over the Internet — a growing business as the distribution of entertainment goes increasingly digital. The settlement is part of an effort "to provide peace of mind for our customers and partners by letting them know that patent licensing is our responsibility," said Marshall Phelps, Microsoft deputy general counsel and corporate vice president of intellectual property, or IP. With the agreement, customers can use Microsoft products and services without a license from InterTrust. Developers, however, may need a license from InterTrust for other uses, including the combination of Microsoft technology with third-party technology, according to the joint statement. InterTrust, owned by a joint venture of Sony Corp (NYSE:SNE - news) (news - web sites)., Philips Electronics NV and the investment banking company Stephens Inc., sued Microsoft in April 2001. At the time, InterTrust officials talked of trying to halt sales of the then-new Windows XP (news - web sites) operating system and said damages could amount to billions of dollars. The lawsuit followed a breakdown in licensing talks in 1998-2000, when Microsoft was considering an investment of more than $100 million in InterTrust. Settlement talks began at the urging of a judge last summer. Last month Microsoft agreed to settle a patent lawsuit filed by AT&T Corp. over voice-recognition technology for terms that were not disclosed. Last year Microsoft settled claims by Time Warner Inc. involving Netscape Communications, now owned by Time Warner's America Online unit, and paid $35 million to settle a case brought by Immersion Corp. over joystick technology. In morning trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market, Microsoft shares rose 14 cents to $25.62.

04-12-2004, 09:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ruined It's Good to Play Together Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: NJ, USA	__________________ For every shadow, no matter how deep, is threatened by morning light.

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04-13-2004, 04:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
Engineer_J The Gordon Gekko of Games Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Dallas, TX, USA	I just think it is amazing how many times MS gets sued and loses. I mean, one or two cases is one thing, but surely this is a pattern of abuses on both the consumer and patent rights of several companies over several years. One of the reasons while I love my X-Box, I dislike Microsoft as a company.