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$1.5bn for MP3 patent infringement

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rah:
Hi,

Probably up for a flame here, but it's of interest to Rockbox users, I think.

Microsoft has been ordered to pay $1.5bn to Alcatel over MP3 patent infringement claim.
And there was me thinking Fraunhofer owned the patent.  

Full story (ish) here:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/02/23/microsoft_alcatel_patent/

Software patents - ugh....

===Rich

RotAtoR:
I doubt this ruling will really affect anyone other than those making big $ off MP3 technology. Still, it seems to be rather shady practices to sit on a patent until its technology becomes popular enough to make this sort of money by enforcing it.

saratoga:
MS seems to have a point about them back dating their patent after the fact to get around previous licensing agreements.  Hopefully courts will agree with them on appeal.

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