Comments on: Microsoft slapped with $388 million patent verdict

A federal jury has found that the product activation method used in some versions of Windows and Office infringes on a Uniloc patent.

[Pard68]

Um, the technology world evolves on taking other peoples ideas. Bill, in not so many words, stole IBM kernel information to make his first OS. Sony stole the idea for Blueray from a many in Texas. IBM stole the spreadsheet idea from Lotus, and than bought them out before it could get to courts. Apple stole the multi-touch. Honda stole the BMW H-fuel cell idea.

People should get over it, a big guy steals you thing? Do what Lotus did, don't sue, get in bed with them.

[mckoy_1]

Microsoft knew what the consequences were from day one. They created the feature met with their forecasting-marketing team and said, "We know that Uniloc holds a patent to this feature but we will deal with them then. For now, deploy the product and let the millions roll in! You all should be discussing the amount of money Microsoft made using this feature compared to the hard laughed slap in the risk $388 Million..... I will read the rest of the replies tomorrow... I will be at the club in the VIP with the girls and the grey goose all night!

*Facing the mirror, fixing his collar*

[lenins]

do you know, all the information in the law suit ? when you sign up with microsoft, did you read the agreement? every time, i see a law suit against microsoft, i see dollars signs$$$$. maybe this company could not put two and two together, too make their product work or the program too interact with microsoft windows. the money and the lawyers fees,should be given, too keep jobs , in the usa .

[Wookiee-1138]

Why bother appealing? It's just pocket change to the likes of them.

[The_happy_switcher]

Here's hoping they get slapped with many more.

[manaboulsi]

I say Uniloc desrve the award. It should send a clear message that companies are nothing without ideas.

The fact that the constitution mention patents expressely shows that there is a value their that has hiostorical precedent and proven merit.

As for the obviousness. These trials are hapeniong today, where DRM and other technologies are so understood and common, while this patent is 18 YO. If we are to negate this patent value because it is so obvious today, then most patents are invalid after couple of years of production.

Bcompanies use others IP because they're counting on the intimidation factor. The culprit is usually a back stabbing politically savy engineer who is unable to produce, so he steels his own colleagues work and when he earns his reputation internally, he goes out to do the same outside the company using his big company name as a lure.

I say we should do more then making them pay damages. After the Wallstreet scams, I say these guys should go to jail just like Madof and his kind.