Microsoft slaps peripherals manufacturer with lawsuit

Microsoft filed a patent infringement claim against peripherals maker Belkin on Tuesday. The dispute concerns a Microsoft-developed technology called U2, which enables devices like keyboards and mice to automatically determine whether they require a USB or PS/2 connection. In March, Microsoft began marketing U2 to third-party manufacturers along with several other hardware technologies. According to the Microsoft complaint, filed with the International Trade Commission, Belkin has been incorporating U2 into its keyboards and mice and has refused to agree to licensing talks. In a statement, Microsoft said it has no intention of seeking financial compensation but instead simply wants the unlicensed Belkin products out of the U.S. market. Microsoft considers the importation of products with unlicensed U2 technology into the United States to be encroaching on its utility patents.

"Several companies, including Targus, Fellowes and others, license U2 technology from Microsoft," said Tom Burt, Microsoft corporate vice president and deputy general counsel. "Belkin's use of this technology without paying for it is unfair to companies who invent, respect and pay for this property." A representative from Belkin declined to comment.

[qwerty75]

what????

"which enables devices like keyboards and mice to automatically determine whether they require a USB or PS/2 connection"

In no way is this a legitmate patent.

You might be able to patent a specific implementation, but not a general idea like this.

Reason #5489549024823903202 why the patent system needs an overhaul, especially in software and hardware.

[Shakingmy head]

Do your homework !

Before making an uninformed comment do your homework - i.e. do a patent search and read the specific claims and the invention. Who said it was a general idea (You?). You will see the Patents in question are legit and specific and invented in the 1990s with a patent issued in 1998. This is a "hardware patent" Microsoft hardware (mouse and keyboard) biz has been around for more than 20 years.

[raul duke]

Nothing Suprising from Belkin

This comes as no suprise for those in this industry..this comes from the same company that has had 5 product recalls and has about the same number of patent infingment cases going on this year alone...remember the Kensington deal just a few months ago...!

Truly innovative companies dont have this problem, or at least they have the ethics to do the due diligence of ensuring they are playing-by-the-rules.

Dr. Raul Duke