Microsoft wins delay in Eolas appeal

Microsoft has been granted an extension of its May 17 deadline to file an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals in the Eolas patent case. In August, the University of California and its Eolas spin-off won a $521 million judgment against Microsoft for infringement on the patent, which describes how Web browsers handle plug-in applications.

Microsoft is filing its appeal even as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office re-examines the patent. The University of California last week filed its response to the patent office's preliminary re-examination document. With the extension, Microsoft has until June 3 to file the appeal.