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InterTrust Says It Owns DRM, Sues Microsoft

Posted by timothy on from the we-own-it-all dept.

Rinisari writes "Fortune.com has a story about Santa Clara-based InterTrust Technologies is claiming that their suite of 26 issued patents and 85 pending patents covers digital rights management technology currently in use by Microsoft. InterTrust is seeking an injunction barring distribution of about 85% of Microsoft's product line, including WindowsXP, OfficeXP, and Xbox. Slashdot previously mentioned InterTrust when Sony and Philips announced they were attempting to buy ( and still are attempting to buy) the DRM outfit."

4 of 213 comments (clear)

  1. Very Gutsy Move by javacowboy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Anybody who takes on one of the world's largest corporations (with probably the most high-paid lawyers on its payroll) and attempts to shut down 85% of their product line is very courageous indeed.

    I wonder what makes them think they can pull it off.

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  2. Re:Everything to gain? by Daniel+Dvorkin · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Well, they had to wait until Microsoft had actually infringed on their patents before filing a suit. From the article, it seems pretty clear to me that they tried to negotiate a legitimate deal and Microsoft, as usual, screwed them over.

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    The correlation between ignorance of statistics and using "correlation is not causation" as an argument is close to 1.
  3. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  4. Re:not sure who to cheer for... by mrkurt · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Me, I'm cheering for endless litigation. That will delay any implementation of DRM. If MS fights to be a player in this arena, that's what you'll see. OTOH, if InterTrust is just looking to shake them down for the rights to use DRM, they might well pay up.

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    Always look on the briight side of life! (whistle, whistle)