Trend Micro v. Barracuda, Fortinet (2008, USA)

In January 2008, it became public knowledge that Trend Micro were suing Barracuda for distribution of Clam Antivirus - a free software anti-virus package - in relation to Trend's patent US5,623,600.

This raised questions of software patents harming computer security.

Initial news

Newest first:

• 2010-06-04: Fortinet Picks Up the Baton From Barracuda, Groklaw
• 2008-07-02: Barracuda counter-sues Trend Micro (also: NetworkWorld article)
• 2008-01-29: Barracuda announces that they will contest the patent: Barracuda's PR
  Third-party articles: Groklaw, Ars Technica, Linux.com
• 2007-12-21: United States International Trade Commission investigates
• 2007-01-02: Barracuda joins Open Invention Network

Previous victims

Trend Micro has previously used this patent against others in the field. Companies paying licence fees include Symantec, McAfee, Fortinet, and Panda.

Boycott Trend Micro

In response, a boycott was launched against Trend Micro. This boycott was supported by FSF and brought press attention so the issue.

Related pages on ESP Wiki

• Litigation
• Patent trolls
• InNova v. 36 companies (2010, USA) - also over spam-blocking

External links

• Barracuda's detailed page about the case
• US patent 5623600, held by Trend Micro
• Boycott Trend Micro
  • The boycott's page on technical info
• Alan Shimel's articles:
  • Barracuda defends open source AV from Trend, where is the calvary?, 29 Jan 2008
  • Further reflections on Trend, Barracuda and open source, 31 Jan 2008
  • Driving a Stake In A Blood Sucking Software Patent, 3 June 2010
• USPTO Orders Reexam of Trend Micro's AntiVirus Patent Based on Prior Art, 23 Sep 2010, Groklaw