Andre Yoskowitz
27 Nov 2007 18:13
Microsoft and Autodesk have lost their patent appeal against the company z4 over patents surrounding anti-piracy technologies. The companies will need to pay $160 million USD in total penalties for the infringements.
z4's patents relate to technology that provide a "method for software to be activated once it is installed. The same technology could also be used to deactivate the software in an effort to deter piracy."
z4 sued both companies in 2004 and a federal jury found both companies liable for patent infringement in 2006. Microsoft has to pay $115 million in fines and $25 million for willful patent infringement. Autodesk must pay $18 million.
Microsoft did make it clear however that the decision would not affect XP, Vista, or Office 2003 or 07.
Source:
BetaNews