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Microsoft Is Sued For Patent Violation Over .NET

Posted by Zonk on from the is-it-weird-to-root-for-the-megacorp-on-this-one dept.

randomErr writes "As reported by Info World, Microsoft was issued a cease and desist order on February 7 of this year by Vertical Computer Systems. The order was for patent infringement by the current implementations of the .NET framework. Both the .NET framework and Vertical Computer Systems' SiteFlash use XML to create component-based structures that are used to build and operate web sites. Vertical Computer Systems is requesting a full jury trial. If VCS prevails, .NET technology implementations as we know them may completely change and Microsoft would probably have to pay out a hefty sum."

8 of 288 comments (clear)

  1. A few billions here, a few billions there by HuguesT · · Score: 3, Funny

    Pretty soon, we'll be talking about serious money.

  2. Look, up in the sky by kroepoek · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's a bird! It's a plane!

    OMG It's flying chairs from Redmond!

  3. And we all change our tune... by walkie · · Score: 3, Funny

    Hurray for software patents!

  4. Let's propagate some FUD by javilon · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now it is the perfect time to show Microsoft that FUD works both ways:

    LEGAL WARNING:

    If you use .net to develop software, in the future your projects can be taken down because of patent infringement.

    Using Microsoft products is a legal minefield!!!

    You should consult your legal department before purchasing any Microsoft product.


    --


    When his defense asked, "Which computer has Jon Johansen trespassed upon?" the answer was: "His own."
  5. Well that sucks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I've long suspected that software patents had become a semantic game.

    Want to infringe on a software patent? Completely rename everything including core concepts and you can't possibly infringe. How can you violate a patent on a method to execute bytecode when your virtual machine "masticates bitcandy"?

    It appears it has gotten that bad.

  6. Congratulations by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    You win this weeks cryptic patent puzzle and have been placed in the USPTO prize draw. Each year the winner will receive 5 minutes unlimited usage of the famed USPTO rubber stamp.

    The USPTO, ensuring societies monumental innovations are disclosed to the public in a clear and concise manner for 2 centuries.

  7. New patent used, can't see by Tablizer · · Score: 3, Funny

    Somebody applied "a method to render a website non-functional to external parties by attracting the sufficient attention of multiple hyper-link-capable users within an effective time-range". In other words, we slashdotted the article.

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  8. Re:how2blow one's credibility with a single letter by HiThere · · Score: 2, Funny

    Perhaps you meant "faux pas"? I think that means "false step". It's probably from French. (Possibly Norman French? It feels more modern, though.)

    --

    I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.