Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Wi-Fi Patent Victory Earns CSIRO $200 Million

Posted by samzenpus on from the pay-up dept.

bennyboy64 writes "iTnews reports the patent battle between Australia's CSIRO and 14 of the world's largest technology companies has gained the research organization $200 million from out of court settlements. CSIRO executive director of commercial, Nigel Poole, said the CSIRO were wanting to license their technology further, stating that he 'urged' companies using it to come forward and seek a license. 'We believe that there are many more companies that are using CSIRO's technology and it's our desire to license the technology further,' Poole said.'We would urge companies that are currently selling devices that have 802.11 a,g or n to contact CSIRO and to seek a license because we believe they are using our technology.'"

4 of 267 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Speaking of trolls by MichaelSmith · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The nicest example I have heard of patents working the right way is the Rolling Loop IMAX Projector. The IMAX developers actually went to Ron Jones's home in Western Australia, looked at his prototype projector and pretty much bought his patent on the spot.

    --
    http://michaelsmith.id.au
  2. can you explain? by jipn4 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I'm not so sure. It's not my area, but this patent sounds like it might be an engineering solution, a simple application of known techniques, instead of an invention. The fact that a standards body decided to use this technology (either not knowing about the patent or deliberately ignoring it) also suggests that this is not actually a new technology.

    Can you explain what you think is novel and unobvious about this technology?

    1. Re:can you explain? by SlashWombat · · Score: 3, Interesting

      At the time of its invention, it was not a simple application of known techniques. Now many digital transmission schemes use similar techniques. So yes, they deserve some credit for the invention. (The reason it wasn't mainstream before this is due to them using a CSIRO FFT hardware chip, something that wasn't really around until chip manufacturers/designers achieved the miniaturization necessary for its implementation. The FFT wasn't even described as a mathematical process until early 1960.

  3. Re:Only fair by MrMr · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Interesting viewpoint. How much does Oz contribute to DARPA for the use of internet?
    Or to England for Penicillin?
    Or for any of the thousands of inventions funded by non-Australian citizens?
    But that would actually cost money, so that cannot possibly be fair.