James Delahunty
18 Jan 2006 2:03
Softvault, a Washington based Intellectual Property company, has sued Microsoft and many other tech firms including Yahoo for alleged patent infringement. The main patent in question is "US patent 6,249,868". It covers security components for a computer which can enable or disable systems by use of a remote server. Softvault also claims that the companies it has targeted are infringing another one of its patents, US patent 6,594,765.
The main action is against Microsoft. It was filed in the Eastern District Court of Texas. Softvault alleges that products with the feature include Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, Microsoft Office XP, Access 2002, Excel 2002, Vision 2002, Visual Studio Net, Office 2000 SR-1, Project 2000 SR-1, PowerPoint and other products. Softvault also alleges Microsoft infringes US patent 6,594,765.
Another case against Yahoo, Napster, Creative Labs, Dell, Gateway, Iriver, Samsung, Toshiba, Digital Networks, Palm, Audiovox, Sandisk and Thomson relates to the same patents but is slightly different. Softvault alleges that Microsoft distributes the Windows Media DRM software, which breaches its patent, and the other tech firms use the same DRM so they also infringe the patents.
Source:
The Inquirer