Re: TomTom sues Microsoft for patent infringement

[Rjack]

Roy Schestowitz wrote:
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1
>
> ____/ chrisv on Friday 20 March 2009 16:59 : \____
>
> > Doug Mentohl wrote:
> >
> > > TomTom alleges that Microsoft infringes on four patents in 
> > > Microsoft Streets and Trips .. TomTom is asking for triple 
> > > damages for willful infringement, since it says it had 
> > > notified Microsoft about its alleged infringement ...
> > >
> > > http://www.infoworld.com/article/09/03/20/TomTom_sues_Microsoft_for_patent_infringement_1.html
> > This is getting interesting...
>
> It also makes Microsoft look weak in the eyes of companies to 
> whom it tries to sell based on the premise that "Microsoft will 
> be there in the future".

Micro$oft was probably aware of TomTom's patents and was attempting
to force a cross-license agreement. Attempting to start a patent war
with Microsoft will probably provoke more claims from Microsoft
against the Linux kernel that TomTom is using. Micro$oft's lead
attorney Micheal Phelps developed IBM's patent strategy and is
considered one of the best intellectual property attorneys in the
country. I doubt that Micro$oft is bluffing. So... cry havoc and
let slip the dogs of war.

This may truly get interesting.