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Microsoft Pays $440M to License InterTrust Patents

theodp writes "Microsoft is paying $440 million to InterTrust to settle a three-year-old patent infringement lawsuit over DRM technology for protecting music, movies and other digital content against piracy. Under the settlement agreement, customers can use Microsoft products and services without a license from InterTrust. Developers, however, may need a license from InterTrust for other uses, including the combination of Microsoft technology with third-party technology." C.J. adds a link to the New York Times' coverage of the settlement.

4 of 169 comments (clear)

  1. BBC coverage [registration-free] by Compact+Dick · · Score: 2, Redundant


    Check out the BBC's article: Microsoft settles patents case

  2. say dudes!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Redundant

    InterTrust, whats it all about?? Is it good or is it whack??

  3. Microsoft never pays per license royalties . . . by StateOfTheUnion · · Score: 1, Redundant

    Has anyone else noticed that Microsoft prefers to pay a lump sum for an unlimited license (with respect to users or copies of a product sold) rather than a royalty on the number of products sold/licensed? With as big a war chest as they have, I guess they don't want to owe anyone royalties on future products/development. And then they can continue using the technology in their OS'es forever . . .

  4. My plans for the coming summer by aztektum · · Score: -1, Redundant

    1. Patent something
    2. File suit against MS for infringement
    3. ???
    4. Profit!!!!

    --
    :: aztek ::
    No sig for you!!