Microsoft Doesn't Want Anyone Stealing Its Mouse Patents

Chris Moody — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:03:02 -0500

Microsoft, which is more often on the receiving side of patent infringement claims, now finds itself on the other side of the legal fence and is taking Primax Electronics to task.

Microsoft is upset over several patents on two different technologies used in computer mice. The first is U2, which allows a mouse to connect to both USB and PS/2 ports and then auto detects the port that is being used. The other, TiltWheel, adds additional cursor movement abilities via mouse tipping (not related to cow tipping).

CNet quotes Microsoft Deputy General Counsel Horacio Gutierrez as saying that they filed a complaint with the International Trade Commission against Primax Electronics only after "repeated attempts to engage in meaningful license terms over the past two years."

Microsoft is known to have an open policy with licensing its intellectual property. They license for years at a time and have more than 20 companies that are part of its hardware technology licensing program.

Microsoft does not sound like it is landing in the realm of Patent Troll here; they actually make the products and have other companies licensing the patents. What do you think? Is Microsoft being a Patent Troll or is it just guarding its intellectual property? Sound off below!

Rambus the Patent Troll Seeks to Strike Nvidia

Chris Moody — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:30:50 -0500

Rambus, the technology company turned responsible for RDRAM has filed suit against Nvidia claiming that they violated 17 of its memory patents. Rambus’ lawsuit alleges that at least six of Nvidia's product lines infringe the Rambus patents including chip sets, graphics processors and applications processors. They ask for an injunction that would prevent Nvidia from selling the products as well as damages.

Tom Lavelle, senior vice president and general counsel at Rambus was quoted as saying, "For more than six years, we have diligently attempted to negotiate a licensing agreement with Nvidia, but our good faith efforts have been to no avail," he adds, "We are left with no other recourse than litigation to protect and seek fair compensation for the use of our patented inventions,".

Can you smell the bull? I better get my rubber boots it’s getting thick. His own statement shows this to be an attempt to force Nvidia to cough up something to make Rambus go away and they haven't been interested. Nvidia has yet to comment on the suit.

RDRAM went to hell in a hand basket and was relegated to a few consoles and peripherals. Little else has come from Rambus for PCs since, except a stream of lawsuits against several of the world's top DRAM manufacturers.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ruled in 2006 that Rambus used anticompetitive practices in some of its memory patents. But that ruling was overturned appeals cases early this year.

Rambus has turned Patent Troll, and this could signal many more lawsuits to come from them. Since Lavelle as senior VP is also the general counsel, perhaps Rambus intends to become a law firm and sue it’s way to making a buck. We can hope they may eventually bite off more than they can chew.

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Microsoft Doesn't Want Anyone Stealing Its Mouse Patents

Rambus the Patent Troll Seeks to Strike Nvidia