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Windows 7 Under Fire For Patent Infringement

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the i'm-so-torn dept.

eldavojohn writes "A patent issued in 2003 called 'Method and system for demultiplexing a first sequence of packet components to identify specific components wherein subsequent components are processed without re-identifying components' is now owned by Implicit Networks, who has recently claimed Windows 7 infringes upon it with its Filtering Platform. This is used in Vista, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008. Implicit is seeking a jury trial and damages. A shocking turn of events; you actually want to cheer for Microsoft this time as Implicit is nothing more than a patent licensing company (troll) and has done battle with Sun, AMD, Intel and NVIDIA."

7 of 241 comments (clear)

  1. Trust Me by OwMyBrain · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The only real winner is the lawyers.

  2. Patentable? by clone53421 · · Score: 5, Informative

    This doesn’t look substantially different from what any audio/video encapsulation format does, and plenty of those were around before December of ’99...

    Filing date: Dec 29, 1999

    What is claimed is:

    1. A method in a computer system for processing a message having a sequence of packets, the method comprising:

      providing a plurality of components, each component being a software routine for converting data with an input format into data with an output format;
      for the first packet of the message,
      identifying a sequence of components for processing the packets of the message such that the output format of the components of the sequence match the input format of the next component in the sequence; and
      storing an indication of each of the identified components so that the sequence does not need to be re-identified for subsequent packets of the message; and
      for each of a plurality of packets of the message in sequence,
      for each of a plurality of components in the identified sequence,
      retrieving state information relating to performing the processing of the component with the previous packet of the message;
      performing the processing of the identified component with the packet and the retrieved state information; and
      storing state information relating to the processing of the component with the packet for use when processing the next packet of the message.

    (...)

    --
    Alexander Peter Kristopeit bought his basement from his mommy for one dollar.
  3. Author of Patent used to work fo Microsoft by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    According to http://www.hometoys.com/htinews/apr00/interviews/becomm.htm Edward Balassanian founded BeComm Corporation in 1996. A privately held company, based in Redmond, WA, BeComm designs next-generation communications technology that focuses on delivering a broad range of Media Appliance solutions. The company’s vision is to create an operating environment that seamlessly manages the flow of media across disparate networks, processors, media types, applications and devices. Mr. Balassanian is responsible for the company’s long-term product, technology and marketing strategy as well as day-to-day operations. He also sits on the company’s board of directors. Prior to forming BeComm, Mr. Balassanian held engineering positions within Microsoft Corporation. He has over ten years experience developing networking software. Balassanian has a degree in Computer Science from the University of Washington. He has recently spoken to audiences at Princeton University, and was recently a featured speaker at DEMO 2000.

  4. Re:Go Microsoft, Believe in me who believes in you by the_womble · · Score: 5, Insightful

    No, its best if MS, and other big tech companies lose a few of these. Then they will start lobbying for better patent laws, and perhaps even an end to software patents.

  5. Re:Go Microsoft, Believe in me who believes in you by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    "I hope microsoft wins this." I hope they lose. They trolled Tom-Tom for using the DOS filename patent

    ... right after TomTom tried to sue them for using navigation software to give directions. In the end, they both settled, and TomTom, the aggressor, didn't get its payday.

    And yet, Microsoft is somehow the bad guy in this. Yep. This is definitely Slashdot.

  6. Re:And yet there are still software patents. by SlowCanuck · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I suggest two reforms: 1): Company has to prove they actually used said patent in a product that they developed and was sold by their company sometime before the lawsuit, or patent is void and given to the party they are suing for infringement. This would be a stipulation on top of prior art, and should be easy enough to prove. 2): You lose, you pay - for everyone's lawyers fee's!! If company cannot pay fee's upon reasonable amount of time after judgment, then the losing company is then owned by winning company until it is either liquidated or all financial obligations are complete. Then again, I am one of those socialist Canadians!!

  7. He got it in Reverse order by ub3r+n3u7r4l1st · · Score: 5, Informative

    First this happened:

    http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/02/microsoft-sues-tomtom-over-fat-patents-in-linux-based-device.ars

    Then this happened:

    http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/03/tomtom-sues-microsoft-back-for-patent-infringement.ars

    In the end they both settle and drop their lawsuits.

    --
    New Economic Perspectives