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Judge overturns $388 million patent award in Microsoft case

1 October 2009 1:48 by James "Dela" Delahunty | 54 comments

Judge overturns $388 million patent award in Microsoft case A federal judge has overturned a court judgment against Microsoft in a patent dispute that would have cost the company $388 million. The federal judge ruled on Tuesday that Microsoft did not infringe on a patent held by anti-piracy software maker Uniloc Inc. U.S. District Judge William Smith's decision nullifies the $388 million Microsoft would have had to pay in damages.

It would have been one of the largest damages awarded in a civil patent case in history. "We are pleased that the court has vacated the jury verdict and entered judgment in favor of Microsoft," said Kevin Kutz, a Microsoft spokesman.

The case stretches back to 2003, when the Singapore-based Uniloc USA parent filed a lawsuit against the Redmond giant over security software it was using to prevent unlicensed use of Windows XP and Office software. In April of this year, a jury found in favor of Uniloc, and Microsoft appealed the verdict.

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    Discuss this article!  There are more user comments available, read them here
    joe777 (Member) 2 October 2009 8:02 Send private message to this user   
    Originally posted by shaffaaf:
    loving the elitist linux useres.
    Eh? I support the community not the corporations. What or who, do you support?
    A friend of mine used to say "I support my legs cause they support me" Lol
    shaffaaf (Senior Member) 2 October 2009 8:05 Send private message to this user   
    really, i only support webOS which ironically is made form linux lol. well that and i can admit to being a sony console supporter.

    ooo and pokemon!
    Mr-Movies (Member) 2 October 2009 13:40 Send private message to this user   
    Originally posted by Nezello:
    The rule of law must matter. Chinese or your neighbor, a jury was convinced somebody was wronged. No single judge should be allowed to overturn the jury's verdict! But then again look at how many morons give Obama/Barry a pass for not being a Natural Born Citizen...

    Phil Berg a 35 year lifelong Democrat (also paid up life member of the NAACP) filed lawsuits asking Obama/Barry to verify (release) his basic background, to unseal his college records etc. Phil stated, if you show you are legit I will go away. Obama could have made an ASS out of this attorney (AND PUT THIS MATTER TO BED EARLY) by proving he’s legit. So what does he do? Obama/Barry hires attorneys’ (NOT SO FREE LEGAL HELP to date estimates are at over 1.4 million dollars) to fight NOT to release his basic background, WHY?

    The big picture here is (not for the faint at heart), Do we really have laws that govern our society or are we too far gone? No moral compass sets the nation a drift. Is it only going to get worse?
    Answer is: we are too far gone!

    Microsoft has got away with another one which is what most people predicted.

    Both Gate's & Jobb's stole most of what they have plus through Xerox's stupidity they got some things very cheap.

    No matter what Gate's wife gets him to contirbute to he is still a crook. I wish we still had Amiga's around but the big two killed that unfortunately although I understand they still sell in Europe.

    We really don't have a choice these days for OS's but Linux is getting better maybe some day they will be a contender as well, we need more competition period.
    LissenUp (Junior Member) 2 October 2009 15:46 Send private message to this user   
    Quote:
    Originally posted by raunchynm:
    Finally some justice for Microsoft. Funny that a Chinese firm would accuse Microsoft of stealing their intellectual property when the Chinese are the world's leading pirates themselves and not just software piracy either. Everyone likes to take potshots at Microsoft or sue them for money they could not earn on their own merits, but let's face it, Microsoft has enough brilliant minds working for it to never need to steal ideas from anyone. Bravo to the judge and to Microsoft for not letting this one go.
    youre an idiot
    As are YOU for calling him an idiot...............especially without merit or reason.
    Daniel_1 (Junior Member) 2 October 2009 16:02 Send private message to this user   
    Joe777, your WHOLE ARGUMENT is without merit. Do you honestly think for one bloody second that if Gates and company had not made the pc smaller and more available to the public that you would be using your beloved Unix or Linux or whatever you are using for your OS today? Buy a clue dude, THEY WOULD NOT EXIST! It was ONLY because Gates and company made these OS's that the public was able to actually buy these and thus bring the price down from the Tandy home computer listed new at $13,298. in their advertisements from the 1970's to less then $300. today. And without the research into improving same, do you think for one bloody second that you would have bluray or VHS or even digital TV? The answer is NO you would NOT have these. So you go right on ahead and dis Microsoft if that allows you to sleep at night. But the hard cold facts of life are that if it was not FOR Microsoft doing what they did, Apple and company would not exist nor would Nintendo or the Sony Playstation nor hundreds of thousands of games or thousands of companies. It was only because people were demanding faster speeds for their computers that broadband was invented. It was only because people were wanting more choice for their computers that Linux and Unix and Redhat and Mac computers took off or were invented. AND it was only because of the massive sales of the PC that the phone companies actually started looking into fibre optics to allow for more speed and faster connections. They did not do this out of the kindness of their hearts, they did it to make money and to free up their congested lines.

    Some people like you are either blissfully or intentionally ignorant of history, and the scary thing is that you are allowed to own a car and actually vote.
    joe777 (Member) 2 October 2009 17:22 Send private message to this user   
    Originally posted by Daniel_1:
    Joe777, your WHOLE ARGUMENT is without merit. Do you honestly think for one bloody second that if Gates and company had not made the pc smaller and more available to the public that you would be using your beloved Unix or Linux or whatever you are using for your OS today? Buy a clue dude, THEY WOULD NOT EXIST! It was ONLY because Gates and company made these OS's that the public was able to actually buy these and thus bring the price down from the Tandy home computer listed new at $13,298. in their advertisements from the 1970's to less then $300. today. And without the research into improving same, do you think for one bloody second that you would have bluray or VHS or even digital TV? The answer is NO you would NOT have these. So you go right on ahead and dis Microsoft if that allows you to sleep at night. But the hard cold facts of life are that if it was not FOR Microsoft doing what they did, Apple and company would not exist nor would Nintendo or the Sony Playstation nor hundreds of thousands of games or thousands of companies. It was only because people were demanding faster speeds for their computers that broadband was invented. It was only because people were wanting more choice for their computers that Linux and Unix and Redhat and Mac computers took off or were invented. AND it was only because of the massive sales of the PC that the phone companies actually started looking into fibre optics to allow for more speed and faster connections. They did not do this out of the kindness of their hearts, they did it to make money and to free up their congested lines.

    Some people like you are either blissfully or intentionally ignorant of history, and the scary thing is that you are allowed to own a car and actually vote.
    @ daniel you dont have a clue what you are talking about. Epic fail epic fail epic fail

    Some questions for you
    1. Who invented the internet and what software did it run on.
    2. Who invented the first mainstream OS for the personal computer
    3. Who invented the first GUI
    4. When microsoft first started out what kind of business were they in
    5. Do you really believe the compact pc was invented by MS or MS ran the first OS to run on the pc, to bring it to the public.PMSL
    6. Do you not know that MS were investigated for trying to monopolise the entire pc industry.
    7. MS are responsible for pushing tech so that bluray or VHS or even digital TV was possible to make.PMSL( oh me the jump from blueray back to VHS, lets go back further to betamax and top-loaders, ah to hell with it lets go back to 35mm reels all these were inspired by microsoft.PMSL Slick willy was still at school when these machine were invented)

    Quote:
    But the hard cold facts of life are that if it was not FOR Microsoft doing what they did, Apple and company would not exist nor would Nintendo or the Sony Playstation nor hundreds of thousands of games or thousands of companies.
    Ah apple existed first and they manufactured their own hardware and software built on *nix. MS were hired to write apps for apple in the early days. Then MS stole ideas,an already compiled OS and a gui to later sell as windows. Game consoles existed well before MS did. Am thinking my first Atari 2600, then the games for the zx spectrum 48k, then my commodore 64, then my amiga 128. Not to mention all the handheld gaming machines from the early 80's were you even born then when I was gaming and playing around with computers?

    Quote:
    It was only because people were demanding faster speeds for their computers that broadband was invented
    Not people, business's demanded high speed internet which of course was all run on stable flavours of *nix and most still are today.

    Quote:
    It was only because people were wanting more choice for their computers that Linux and Unix and Redhat and Mac computers took off or were invented.
    Unix was the brainchild of Dennis Ritchie and Kenneth Thompson, who invented Unix while working for Bell Labs in 1969. It was used to work on IBM hardware which was the brainchild of x86 architecture which we use today. Unix and linux were and are the most stable OS to run on server environments. Gnu/linux was released in 1992. Mac computers were out well before that and well before MS had its first OS.

    Quote:
    AND it was only because of the massive sales of the PC that the phone companies actually started looking into fibre optics to allow for more speed and faster connections. They did not do this out of the kindness of their hearts, they did it to make money and to free up their congested lines.
    Hate to rain on your parade buddy but fibre optics were invented long long time ago and were used in trunk lines from city to city, certainly not from junction box to door, cause as you say there was no need for it. But they were around long time before internet became mainstream and the pc became popular. My father worked for a telecoms company all his life and I remember all the literature about fibre when I was a kid and that was long long long long time ago.

    This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 2 October 2009 20:15

    ivymike (Member) 2 October 2009 18:48 Send private message to this user   
    I wonder how much micro$oft paid the judge on this one...
    Daniel_1 (Junior Member) 2 October 2009 19:03 Send private message to this user   
    Joe, I have more clues in this then you ever could. I was into computing when the fastest computer out there was 4 baud and EVERY time you got on the line it was a long distance call. I have been doing this since well before Reagan was in office so dont you even try that "you dont know what your talking about" crap with me dude as I was fixing and writing code for these machines when you were still in diapers.

    So if this is the best you can do, then maybe you should take your own advice.
    joe777 (Member) 2 October 2009 19:58 Send private message to this user   
    @ daniel are you also the member 'lissenUP'? do you have several accounts here or what?
    Ok dan your the mutts nutts, and I'll bow down to your superior knowledge, oh greatly informed 1 of the computing world.

    Oh and by the way dan I'm still in diapers, there good for catching all the bullsh*t thats on some of the posts here today.Lol
    Now am only having a bit of fun with you. Chear up it might never happen:P
    Daniel_1 (Junior Member) 3 October 2009 0:16 Send private message to this user   
    And this is why people like me get so upset with people like you. First you try to claim we are someone else (and for the record, I have no blinkin idea who or what this 'lissenUP' is, so please stop trying to include me in your schoolyard battles). Secondly, you would have saved yourself the embarrassment that is now associated with your name if you would have just ASKED me how I knew what I was talking about instead of launching right into the n00b claim of me not knowing what I am talking about. See that is the problem with you young know it all's, you seem to think that you know everything there is to know about computers and such just because you've grown up with them...completely ignoring the simple fact that it was people like me writing code and improving these things for it to get to where it is today. I mean My God! I can just imagine the blank stare from you if I asked you to define Bd or cps without looking it up or name the person that the baud was named after. Or what was ment when we said "paper sleeve" or BB or what a case of "green glow" was or what was the first valid computer code written in, or what was ment when programmers used the term "Pizza Stack". If you cannot answer these simple questions without looking them up, then you are not as smart as you think you are. So kindly take your sarcastic remarks child, and stick them where the sun don't shine
    borhan9 (AfterDawn Addict) 3 October 2009 3:57 Send private message to this user   
    this is not going to end here Uniloc is going to probably also apeal this verdict. The issue is Microsoft did do wrong but if it ain't worth that much what would a reasonable amount be.
    Daniel_1 (Junior Member) 3 October 2009 8:07 Send private message to this user   
    So what if some chinese company thinks MS screwed them and got a judge to agree, it is only the same bloody thing they have been doing to every one else for the last 60+ years. So it seems a bit hypocritical for them to complain about them getting what they have been giving everyone else. While no fan to say the least, the SBA and Software Alliance has clearly shown that well over 85% of ALL software in China is pirated, INCLUDING the software at the same blinking company that is now complaining that MS screwed them. I mean it takes a rather large set of balls to use pirated software coming from the same company that you say screwed you, does it not? And to do it in open court? A smart thing would be to go to a judge and demand that an impartial observer go to this company and do a software audit and then show the judge the results from the surprise visit. Wanna bet that there is a whole lot more pirated software on Uniloc's computers then what they would have wanted known? And then it would be all over as even if they only found one pirated software, Uniloc would be dead in the water as they could not complain that MS screwed them when they are doing the exact same thing.
    joe777 (Member) 3 October 2009 12:48 Send private message to this user   
    @ daniel. Listen fella chill out a bit and take it easy. The jury found them guilty and the chinees found them guilty so whats with all your hostility. I found that after reading your immature rants that leads me to believe you are indeed young minded. And you think I am a young person. So here goes I think you are late teens / early 20's. How old do you think I am?
    And no matter what age anybody is, it doesn't give them the right to bang around the forums here like a bull in a china shop and theres no need for it. Calm down and lets have a reasonable discussion. I am also to blame for taking this off-topic. So I think MS are pulling strings to avoid another payout and hope that china sends them a bill.

    This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 3 October 2009 12:50

    Daniel_1 (Junior Member) 3 October 2009 20:47 Send private message to this user   
    I am not upset, I just get so damned sick and tired of young people like you who seemingly think they know everything about everything, and completely forgetting that if it was not for people like me and others who perfected the devices you are now using, you wouldn't HAVE these devices that you imply you know so much about and that we know so little about. We invented the damn things. So instead of telling me to "calm down" maybe you need to do an attitude adjustment on yourself as one of these days, you may pop off to the wrong person/oldtimer and the next time you want to use that computer you are so proud of, it may just be a new doorstop. I have seen this happen more times then I care to state in my 30+ years in dealing with computers. I know I wont do it as you are just not worth the time, but I cannot say that about anyone else. So before you go pratting on about how much you supposedly know about computers in the future, you had better make sure that the person you are calling ignorant or implying same; does not have a bad side that you just jumped onto.
    joe777 (Member) 3 October 2009 22:10 Send private message to this user   
    @daniel. I dont profess to know everything and I never once stated that I did. For me every day is learning something new. Some earlier statements you made were off the wall fella. Why are you still causing a fuss. If you have been in the industry for over 30 years and brought inovation and new tech to me then good for you.
    I know what I need to know and learn the things I dont know about.
    So you have been in the industry for 30 odd years which would make you say mid to late forties? Heres some advice grow up and calm down.

    here what you said earlier

    Quote:
    Do you honestly think for one bloody second that if Gates and company had not made the pc smaller and more available to the public that you would be using your beloved Unix or Linux or whatever you are using for your OS today? Buy a clue dude, THEY WOULD NOT EXIST! It was ONLY because Gates and company made these OS's that the public was able to actually buy these and thus bring the price down from the Tandy home computer listed new at $13,298. in their advertisements from the 1970's to less then $300. today. And without the research into improving same, do you think for one bloody second that you would have bluray or VHS or even digital TV? The answer is NO you would NOT have these. So you go right on ahead and dis Microsoft if that allows you to sleep at night. But the hard cold facts of life are that if it was not FOR Microsoft doing what they did, Apple and company would not exist nor would Nintendo or the Sony Playstation nor hundreds of thousands of games or thousands of companies. It was only because people were demanding faster speeds for their computers that broadband was invented. It was only because people were wanting more choice for their computers that Linux and Unix and Redhat and Mac computers took off or were invented. AND it was only because of the massive sales of the PC that the phone companies actually started looking into fibre optics to allow for more speed and faster connections. They did not do this out of the kindness of their hearts, they did it to make money and to free up their congested lines.
    This is what your 30 years of experience has taught you? Are you for real or what? Or do you work for MS?
    Personally I hope your beloved MS burn in hell.
    Nighty night.
    Daniel_1 (Junior Member) 4 October 2009 11:06 Send private message to this user   
    Your last part of your adolescent rant clearly shows that you are way too immature to be using mommy's and daddy's computer as when faced with reality, you revert back to grade school/primary recess attacks. All I can say in ending this constant amateurish and hypoplastic egestings from you is that before you go back on the net, you have some serious growing up to do. Otherwise, you very well may be on the receiving end of a very rude wake up call from the next person you try to insult. Have a nice day now.
    joe777 (Member) 4 October 2009 12:37 Send private message to this user   
    Thank you for your kind words oh wise 1.
    Good day to you also.
    And remember yesterday was history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift. I suggest you think on that, it might do you some good and chill you out a little.
    Daniel_1 (Junior Member) 4 October 2009 17:03 Send private message to this user   
    And you yet again have proven your immaturity as you cannot seemingly understand english. What part of this conversation with you is closed that you seemingly do not or will not understand?
    joe777 (Member) 4 October 2009 18:40 Send private message to this user   
    English is not my native language and the point was I had the last word of advice for you to listen to. So if this is the end of the conversation then dont reply back if you dont want to.
    LissenUp daniel Burn MS burn.

    This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 4 October 2009 18:42

    Daniel_1 (Junior Member) 4 October 2009 21:42 Send private message to this user   
    Since you cannot understand or refuse to understand english, then be advised that I have turned your posts in to afterdawn.com and dont be a bit suprised if your account is closed. You were told I was not this LissenUp character you are having a school yard row with and you refuse to stop with these idiotic accusations. You were told the conversation was over and yet you STILL insist on harrassing posts.

    So if you refuse to stop then afterdawn will make you stop or close your account.

    your choice.
    joe777 (Member) 4 October 2009 22:20 Send private message to this user   
    Who are you to say my posts on the thread are over?
    Microsoft are corp bullies that is my opinion, if you dont agree then you have every right to, but you started to blaze at me and I defended myself. If this conversation is over for you then I say again, dont reply. If you dont want to play in the park, then leave the park.
    You have repeatedly insulted me and I have dodged along with you and now you want to complain to the mods about my behaviour, are you for real?
    So again if you dont want to continue posting , then stop posting simple.
    Nighty night then.
    Ketola (Admin) 5 October 2009 7:35 Send private message to this user   
    Take it easy everyone and stay on topic.

    Thank you.


    Jari Ketola
    Administrator
    http://www.AfterDawn.com
    joe777 (Member) 5 October 2009 7:49 Send private message to this user   
    Point taken Ketola. Sorry for drifting off topic a few times.
    Daniel_1 (Junior Member) 5 October 2009 8:32 Send private message to this user   
    I mean this direct from the Afterdawn Admins "Frankly I'm surprised that the moderators have not issued warnings over the posts in the news comment thread in question." Now please stop replying to me as I will not answer anymore of your statements. This is the third time I have made that request.
    Ketola (Admin) 5 October 2009 8:39 Send private message to this user   
    Originally posted by Daniel_1:
    I mean this direct from the Afterdawn Admins "Frankly I'm surprised that the moderators have not issued warnings over the posts in the news comment thread in question." Now please stop replying to me as I will not answer anymore of your statements. This is the third time I have made that request.
    Your quote applies to you, too. Warnings could have been flying all over the place.

    Further posts to this thread should be related to the news item. Cheers.

    Jari Ketola
    Administrator
    http://www.AfterDawn.com
    Daniel_1 (Junior Member) 5 October 2009 8:55 Send private message to this user   
    Never said it didnt apply to me Ketola, that is the reason I asked for the third time for him to stop with his antics.
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