Will Microsoft's Patent Push Backfire? -- Redmondmag.com

Barney's Blog

Will Microsoft's Patent Push Backfire?

Patents are great -- if you happen to own one. They are not so great if you are on the other side, being sued for infringement. In the world of technologies, these fights have gone on to give millions to lawyers and patent holders (probably a pretty even split).

Microsoft has a huge patent portfolio and are using this might to threaten Linux providers. In the case of i4i, the shoe is on the other foot as that company successfully sued Redmond for violating XML patents.

Microsoft is pushing this all the way to the Supreme Court and now argues that patents are TOO strictly enforced. It may win on this point, but if so, it devalues the hundreds and thousands of patents Microsoft owns.

Are software patents given too easily and enforced to rigorously, or do inventors deserve to enjoy the fruits of their labors? You tell me at [email protected].

Posted by Doug Barney on 10/01/2010 at 1:18 PM

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