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Apple, Amazon, Microsoft & More Settle Lawsuits With Boston University

Posted by samzenpus on from the stop-using-my-stuff dept.

curtwoodward writes "Boston University hadn't been very aggressive with intellectual property lawsuits in the past. But that changed in 2012, when the school began suing the biggest names in consumer tech, alleging infringement of a patent on blue LEDs — a patent that, no coincidence, is set to expire at the end of 2014. As of today, about 25 big tech names have now settled the lawsuits, using 'defensive' patent firm RPX. A dozen or so more defendants are probably headed that way. And BU is no longer a quiet patent holder."

3 of 129 comments (clear)

  1. FB... you're next by gwstuff · · Score: 5, Funny

    For messing with us in the opening scene of The Social Network.

  2. Patent on blue LEDs? by ShaunC · · Score: 1, Funny

    Oh, I get it. They're blue. That's totally non-obvious.

    --
    Thanks to the War on Drugs, it's easier to buy meth than it is to buy cold medicine!
    1. Re:Patent on blue LEDs? by tomhath · · Score: 4, Funny

      Mere ideas cannot be patented, contrary to what many Slashdot posters would like you to believe

      You mean someone couldn't patent an idea like buying something by clicking on a button? Oh wait...