In a case that may have set a bad precedent, Microsoft Corp. has been ordered to pay French phone equipment firm Alcatel-Lucent a sum of $1.52 billion for allegedly infringing two audio patents. Alcatel originally sued Microsoft for breaching two patents covering standards used for converting audio into MP3 files.
"We are concerned that this decision opens the door for Alcatel-Lucent to pursue action against hundreds of other companies who purchased the rights to use MP3 technology from Fraunhofer, the industry-recognized rightful licensor," said Microsoft lawyer Tom Burt.
Source:
BBC News













