Posted 08/01/08 at 09:03:02 AM by Chris Moody

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!

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9

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microsoft, mouse, patents, hardware, Patent Troll, Primex Electronics

Posted 10/18/07 at 10:36:52 AM by Erin Simon

After a blogger files for reexamination, Amazon's One-Click patent is invalidated by the PTO.

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0

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Internet, online, patents, law, patent, amazon, pto, invalidation, reexamination, busted, shopping

Posted 09/16/07 at 09:10:21 PM by Erin Simon

A company has filed suit against a number of media and hardware producers alleging that they infringed its patent in the idea of putting music in a playlist. Really!

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3

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lawsuit, patents, law, infringement, antitrust, patent, playlist, prior art, sherman act

Posted 06/06/07 at 01:38:28 PM by Paul "One4yu2c" Lilly

Tech headlines are littered with lawsuits, and cases can drag on for years. But not in the Court of Paul, where verdicts are swift!

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2

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news, xbox, patents