Comments on: Microsoft hit with $1.5 billion patent verdict

Software giant is ordered to pay Alcatel-Lucent for infringement of patents related to MP3 audio technology used by Windows.

[FellowConspirator]

Something's missing...

For years, Fraunhofer has been the licensor of
record for the patents (which don't cover the
MP3 format, or decoding, but rather the specific
psychoacoustic model and algorithm for the audio
compression). Microsoft and others have
dutifully identified the licensor and licensed
the technology in good faith.

So, how is this willful infringement? It would
seem to me that Lucent's real beef ought to be
that its partner hasn't been sharing the
profits, or has been licensing the technology
without proper agreements between them and
Lucent.

I'm pretty sure that this won't hold up, but if
it does it will set a fundamentally bad
precedent.

Incidentally, the patents cover a very specific
aspect of the compression method, so it affects
encoders, not decoders/players. Also, not all
MP3 encoders use the model described in the
patent (LAME is a good example), so it is still
possible to encode MP3s without violating the
specific patents.

[corelogik]

I Don't normally,...

Side with Microsoft any much of anything, but in this instance I
may have to.

I doubt that the entire industry and the courts are going to let
Alcetel sue them over this especially when companies have been
paying licensing fees in good faith. It would have the potential to
bring the entire computer sound industry to it's knees in one fell
swoop.

That being the case the verdict against Microsoft will likely be
set aside if not reduced drastically, but having got the verdict in
the first place, gee ain't karma a *****!

[M A]

Where does Thomson/Fraunhofer figure into this?

Does this mean that all those companies that licensed MP3 from Thomson (or Fraunhofer) are now in the wrong? Somehow I imagine this verdict is going to throw Thomson & Alcatel-Lucent into court if it's unclear who owns the MP3 rights in the U.S...

(I'd vote for using Ogg Vorbis, personally!)

[punterjoe]

MP3 - the new GIF?

We all remember what a boon the court's licensing decision was to the .GIF format back in the Web0.9 days.
I'm sure MP3's fate will be just as glorious.
(what's the emoticon for dripping sarcasm?)

[Xenu7-214951314497503184010868]

You steal, you pay

Using someone elses technology and ideas as your own is stealing. If Microsoft was as original as the people it steals and copies from it would be a completely different company, and they might have to change their name, to Apple.

[M A]

umm..

You realize Apple may be affected by this ruling as well? Or, are you implying that Apple invented the MP3 codec, being that they're so "original"?

[wraith808]

Re: You steal, you pay

Ummm... did you read the article? They did license it, and never presented it as their own. As did Apple, whom you tout. So I guess Apple isn't innovative or original either. Neither is anyone who based their work on the people who came before... yeah, right.

[Gunady]

You're Sick

If you read the article, you know that Microsoft has paid the patent to other company. So it's their right to use the technology, and Microsoft never claims that MP3 is their technology, different case from WMA format. Apple is nothing to do with innovate the MP3 format either, they just use it. And, I believe that Apple paid the same pattent fee as Microsoft. You're clearly Mac Blinded Fan Boy.

[wbenton]

I hope they win...

>>>could have broader implications<<<

If they win this case... they should allow all the others to use their technology as open source... (* GRIN *)

And I DO HOPE THEY WIN!!!

Walt

[M A]

That makes no sense

Where in the article does it even say Alcatel-Lucent is planning to open-source their MP3 patent? Are you just basically hoping that Alcatel-Lucent wins, makes money off Microsoft, then turns around & open-sources their MP3 patent & call it a day?

Umm..that's prob not what's going to happen..but I guess you can always hope that.

[jsbow]

Microsoft hit with $1.5 billion patent verdict

Burt says he's protecting Microsoft customers? Ha, Ha, Ha!!! They're protecting their PROFITS!!! They care minimally about us. As long as we (THE CUSTOMERS) just continue to stuff money into their pockets they happily move on, with more theft and outrage.

[technewsjunkie]

More detailed information PLEASE.

Couldn't we get some more detailed information regarding the technology in question and, importantly, which companies use that?

[ALLIEDMOVERS.US]

It's all a sham...

This case will be lost in appeals for decades to come. Then, it will settle out of court and no one will know anything about how much and why.





http://www.alliedmovers.us

[Millerboy]

This MP3 lawsuit is unfounded and stupid...

They're charging Microsoft with $1.5 billion dollars? This is so stupid. The appeals court should toss this lawsuit out of the window. lol.

[texaslawyers]

The Value of Picking Your Venue and Court

This Verdict shows the value of picking your venue and court. I doubt very much that you would see this kind of a verdict against Microsoft in Texas or the 5th Circuit. It should be interesting to see the variety of verdicts and rulings that occur as this litigation spreads. Right or wrong the first shots have been fired and another huge litigation war in the Technology World is gearing up.

Jason Coomer
[e-mail]
http://www.texaslawyers.com/coomer

[Fil0403]

The Value of accused company being called Microsoft

You prove my point that, when the company hurt is called Microsoft, it doesn't matter if it's right or wrong, people are just happy they are sued, it makes them feel well.

[HLJohnson]

Vertical Computer Systems Settles Patent Suit With MicrosoftLast update: 8/1/2008 1:51:37 PMDOW JONES NEWSWIRES Vertical Computer Systems Inc. (VCSY) settled the patent infringement claim that it initiated in federal court against Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), according to a document filed Friday with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Under a confidential settlement agreement, the company said it granted Microsoft a non-exclusive, fully paid-up license under the patent which was the subject of the legal proceeding. No further details of the settlement was provided in the filing. Vertical Computer shares traded recently at 8 cents, up 1 cent, while shares of Microsoft recently traded at $25.32, off 40 cents. - Chad Clinton, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-1349; [e-mail] Click here to go to Dow Jones NewsPlus, a web front page of today's most important business and market news, analysis and commentary: http://www.djnewsplus.com/al?rnd=DH3lPMl... You can use this link on the day this article is published and the following day. (END) Dow Jones NewswiresAugust 01, 2008 13:51 ET (17:51 GMT)