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Eolas v. Microsoft (2004, USA)
In Eolas v. Microsoft, Microsoft was accused of infringing a software patent held by Eolas on webbrowser plugins. Microsoft lost the case in 2003 and was ordered to pay $521 million, and lost an appeal in 2004. In 2005, a court allowed a further appeal, but before this would happen, Microsoft made an undisclosed settlement with Eolas in 2007.
In 2003, the USPTO was asked to re-examine the validity of Eolas' patent. In the early stages of this re-examination, in 2004, USPTO found it invalid,[1] but in the final decision in 2005 it was found to be valid.[2]
In 2009, Eolas announced it was suing 23 other large companies based on this patent plus a new one (see Eolas v. many defendants (2009, USA)).
Related pages on ESP Wiki
External links
- http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,1000000121,39240180,00.htm Eolas vs. Microsoft]
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eolas#Litigation
- http://www.ucop.edu/news/archives/2003/aug11art1qanda.htm
- http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2007/05/uspto-gives-microsoft-chance-to-overturn-eolas-browser-plug-in-patent.ars
- http://www.seattlepi.com/business/317739_msftpatent30.html
- http://www.seattlepi.com/business/329766_msfteolas31.html
- http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/01/15/microsoft_loses_521m_eolas_patent/
- http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/03/05/eolas_web_patent_nullified/
- Patents of Mass Destruction, 9 Sep 2003, eWeek
- Microsoft Browser Suit: Victor Girds for New Battles, 24 Aug 2003, eWeek
Patently-o coverage
- http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2004/10/eolas_microsoft.html
- http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2004/12/eolas_v_microso.html
- http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2004/12/eolas_v_microso_1.html
- http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2005/09/eolas_v_microso.html
- http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2005/09/microsoft_asks_.html
