Microsoft files counterclaim against Lucent

Microsoft said Monday that it has filed a counterclaim against Lucent Technologies as part of a patent dispute that dates back to 2002, when Lucent sued Dell and Gateway over claims related to Microsoft products. Lucent also sued Microsoft directly in April, alleging infringement of one Lucent patent. In its counterclaims, filed on Monday, Microsoft alleges that Lucent infringes on several of its patents.

"Rather than engage in meaningful licensing negotiations, Lucent continues to choose to litigate against Microsoft and our customers," Tom Burt, deputy general counsel for Microsoft, said in a statement. A Lucent representative declined to comment.