Microsoft Settles Patent Suit

REDMOND, Wash – Just as the patent wars are heating up for the technology industry, Microsoft has taken a proactive stance in ending some of the pending patent infringement lawsuits that have been lingering in its corporate periphery for quite some time.

On the heels settling an ongoing patent infringement lawsuit with Sun Microsystems last week for a whopping $1.6 billion, Microsoft extended the olive branch to InterTrust Technologies, a Santa Clara, Calif.-based developer and licensor of solutions for digital rights management (DRM) and digital policy management (DPM).

InterTrust accused Microsoft of using its anti-piracy solutions without going through the proper licensing channels. InterTrust filed a copyright infringement lawsuit in 2001. The company is partly owned by Sony and Philips and provides security solutions to the film industry.

InterTrust was originally shooting for a settlement of billions of dollars, but settled for a one-time $440 million retroactive licensing fee. According to the company, all outstanding litigation between the two tech giants has been resolved.

InterTrust will also receive rights under Microsoft patents to design and publish InterTrust reference technology specifications related to DRM and security. However, according to InterTrust, developers and system integrators may need to license separately from InterTrust for other uses of Microsoft technology, including cases in which Microsoft technology is combined with third party technology.

“Today’s announcement validates InterTrust’s intellectual property portfolio as seminal to advancing DRM and trusted computing in the marketplace,” Talal Shamoon, chief executive officer for InterTrust, said in a statement. “InterTrust will continue to help drive the adoption of these important technologies through our inventions, licensing programs and reference technologies, and we expect to develop a thriving licensing business going forward.”

Despite its two recent settlements, Microsoft's list of pending litigation still remains substantial. The software maker is being sued by the European Union for unfair business practices, and just last week a South Korean Internet portal filed an anti-trust suit against Microsoft for dominating the Korean broadband market with its Windows XP platform.

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Seoul Authorities Force Cancellation of Adult Expo for 'Distorting Perceptions of Sex'

After Seoul authorities repeatedly prevented 2024 KXF The Fashion from finding a suitable venue, event organizers have canceled the popular Korean adult industry expo, which was scheduled for this week.

FSC to Hold Discussion on Adult Industry Rights With Congressional Candidate Joe Cohn

Free Speech Coalition will hold a virtual discussion with Joe Cohn, a strong advocate for the adult industry’s rights who is running for Congress in November.

Sophie Dee, Ricky Johnson to Deliver 'XBIZ Talks' at Miami Conference

XBIZ is pleased to announce that Sophie Dee and Ricky Johnson will each deliver an “XBIZ Talk” at next month’s XBIZ Miami conference

FSC to Host Webinar on Derisking and the Adult Industry

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) is hosting a webinar on derisking, titled "Derisking: Examining Its Impact on the Adult Industry's Access to Banking," on April 24 at 11 a.m. (PDT).

Democratic Governor Fails to Veto Kansas Age Verification Bill

Kansas’ Democratic governor, Laura Kelly, expressed strong reservations about the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists, but ultimately decided not to veto it, allowing the legislation to become law by default without her signature.

FSC's Alison Boden Testifies Against California Age Verification Bill, Urges Action to Defeat It

Free Speech Coalition Executive Director Alison Boden testified Tuesday against AB 3080, California’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Phoenix Marie Sues Aylo, Danny D Over Incident on Digital Playground Set

Phoenix Marie has filed a lawsuit against Aylo, performer/producer Danny D and other defendants, alleging she has suffered defamation and damage to her career over a 2023 incident on a Digital Playground set in Spain.

New Premium Creator Platform 'Lemon Social' Launches

Premium creator platform Lemon Social has debuted.

Atlanta Authorities Renew Attack on Adult Boutique Tokyo Valentino

The saga of beleaguered Georgia adult boutique Tokyo Valentino continues with a renewed attempt by authorities to shut down another of its locations.

MomPOV Producer Pleads Guilty in GirlsDoPorn Case

MomPOV producer Doug Wiederhold, who was formerly the partner of GirlsDoPorn owner Michael Pratt as well as the first male talent for GDP, pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal conspiracy charge.

Show More