$338M Patent Ruling Against Microsoft Overturned

some_guy_88 writes "The $338 million verdict against Microsoft for violating a patent held by Uniloc has now been overturned. 'Ric Richardson ... is the founder of Uniloc, which sued Microsoft in 2003 for violating its patent relating to technology designed to deter software piracy. The company alleged Microsoft earned billions of dollars by using the technology in its Windows XP and Office programs. In April, a Rhode Island jury found Microsoft had violated the patent and told Microsoft to pay the company $388 million, one of the largest patent jury awards in US history. But on Tuesday ... US District Judge William Smith "vacated" the jury's verdict and ruled in favor of Microsoft.' In his ruling, Smith said the jury 'lacked a grasp of the issues before it and reached a finding without a legally sufficient basis (PDF).'"

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How to get out of Jury Duty

[m0s3m8n]

Kinda on topic ... I was once called to sit on a Jury in a civil case. When asked by the judge if I had any objections to being a juror I honestly told him "I believe there are too many lawsuits in this country." It was like I had the plague. They had me out of there within 30 seconds. What was funny is as I was being lead out of the room the defendants counsel objected to my dismissal. Of course the judge did not agree.