A US district court has overturned a decision ruling that Microsoft has to pay Alcatel-Lucent $1.52 billion (£777 million) for patent infringement relating to MP3 technology.
Previously a jury had decided that technology used to encode and decode MP3 files in Windows Media Player breached two patents held by Alcatel-Lucent, a French phone company.
"Today's ruling by the judge reversing the jury's $1.52 billion verdict against Microsoft is a victory for consumers of digital music and a triumph for common sense in the patent system" said Microsoft's general counsel, Brad Smith.
Alcatel-Lucent, as you might imagine, was less pleased. "This reversal of the judge's own pre-trial and post-trial rulings is shocking and disturbing", said Mary Lou Ambrus, a spokesperson for Alcatel-Lucent.
Judge Rudi Brewster decided that Microsoft had not breached patent laws because it had paid German firm Fraunhofer $16 million (£7.89 million) to use the technology, and that for the suit to be valid Fraunhofer would need to join the case.
Previously a jury had decided that technology used to encode and decode MP3 files in Windows Media Player breached two patents held by Alcatel-Lucent, a French phone company.
"Today's ruling by the judge reversing the jury's $1.52 billion verdict against Microsoft is a victory for consumers of digital music and a triumph for common sense in the patent system" said Microsoft's general counsel, Brad Smith.
Alcatel-Lucent, as you might imagine, was less pleased. "This reversal of the judge's own pre-trial and post-trial rulings is shocking and disturbing", said Mary Lou Ambrus, a spokesperson for Alcatel-Lucent.
Judge Rudi Brewster decided that Microsoft had not breached patent laws because it had paid German firm Fraunhofer $16 million (£7.89 million) to use the technology, and that for the suit to be valid Fraunhofer would need to join the case.
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Comments
deleted 7 Aug 2007 18:59
1/5
Sorry SPOnG is this related to gaming news somehow?
TimSpong 8 Aug 2007 09:53
2/5
haritori wrote:
Sorry SPOnG is this related to gaming news somehow?
News related to a major Microsoft issue that will have relevance to the Entertainment and Devices division? Yes, I think there's relevance there.
As I say, blame me
Cheers
Tim
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deleted 8 Aug 2007 12:02
3/5
No blame me, i didnt mean it too sound sarcastic just thought it was more engadget than SPOnG but its all good, and as an apoligy i will send a certain drummer some hate mail ;-)
TimSpong 8 Aug 2007 12:09
4/5
haritori wrote:
No blame me, i didnt mean it too sound sarcastic just thought it was more engadget than SPOnG but its all good, and as an apoligy i will send a certain drummer some hate mail ;-)
Ahh... that's made my day that has. I'm slightly concerned that you've got the bald one's email address though.
deleted 8 Aug 2007 12:17
5/5
Tim Smith wrote:
Ahh... that's made my day that has. I'm slightly concerned that you've got the bald one's email address though.
I got it off the wall in the gents toilet, was smeared on but still readable, also had dates and times, but i think that was for a tour? Although i dont know why he put what colour his trainers were?