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Appeals Court Sends Eolas Case Back For New Trial

Posted by timothy on from the litigious-society dept.

Rolan writes "News.com is reporting that an Appeals court has partially overturned the lower court's decision in favor of Eolas. From the story: "Microsoft on Wednesday claimed a victory in a high-profile Web browser patent dispute, as an appeals court partially reversed a lower court decision that left the software giant exposed to $565 million in damages." The article does not say what part was or was not overturned." Reader shogusumi adds a link to the ruling itself (PDF), supplies a link handy for catching up with the claims at issue here, and writes "As a refresher, this is the case that claims that the functionality provided by IE through the use of embed, applet, and object tags violates a patent owned by Eolas and the University of California."

3 of 88 comments (clear)

  1. Skrew MICROSOFT!........OH WAIT.. by scosco62 · · Score: 5, Insightful
    This is a good test of how strong your IP belief system is...............especially if you hate Microsoft.

    IHMO, some things should remain unpatentable....until both sides on the IP issue agree on that, the patent lawyers will continue to make everyone pay. I don't think case will be the one that does it either.

    Just my 2 cents.........

  2. The enemy of my enemy is not my friend by etymxris · · Score: 5, Insightful

    But in this case, Eolas is the enemy of everyone. If Microsoft does well here, it's not a victory so much for Microsoft as it is for everyone. I wish them luck.

  3. Re:Second Major Victory for Microsoft in as many d by The+Bungi · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Really? What are you going to say when this case stands, Microsoft gets screwed on this patent and then Eolas turns around and tries to screw the Mozilla foundation, mmm? Are you going to cross your fingers as well?

    The president of Eolas once said he wouldn't go after Mozilla. If FF becomes popular enough, do you figure he's going to keep his "word"?

    You just keep crossing your fingers. Microsoft can afford to pay Eolas off. Your favorite cheap software foundations can't.