Network Firm Files Lawsuit against Microsoft, Apple and Google Over Thumbnails

Cygnus Systems, a Michigan-based networking firm, has filed a lawsuit against Microsoft, Apple, and Google, for the alleged infringement of a patent that it owns. The patent in question pertains to the use of thumbnails in operating systems. Cygnus has issues with the use of thumbnails in Vista, OS X, Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer 8, Safari and the Apple iPhone.

According to papers filed in a U.S District Court in Arizona, the patent pertains to "methods and systems for accessing one or more computer files via a graphical icon, wherein the graphical icon includes an image of a selected portion or portions of one or more computer files." The patent was awarded to the company as recently as March, 2008.

If it is able to make its case successfully, a windfall awaits Cygnus as it has two of the leading operating systems, three of the major web browsers and the insanely popular iPhone in its crosshairs.