Microsoft Launches Patent Counter Strike On Lucent
from the ah,-nuclear-war dept
Remember how Microsoft had lost that patent lawsuit against Alcatel-Lucent, while having yet another patent case between the companies dismissed? Well, it seems that Microsoft has now decided to strike back at Lucent-Alcatel for firing off so many patent lawsuits. It's claiming that Alcatel-Lucent is violating Microsoft's patents on unified communications and has convinced the U.S. International Trade Commission to begin investigating. This isn't particularly surprising. As has been clear for quite some time, for many big companies, patents have nothing to do with innovation, and everything to do with nuclear stockpiling. The idea is that if you amass enough patents in broad enough areas, others are afraid to charge you with patent infringement, because you'll just lob back patent infringement charges in their direction. Apparently Alcatel-Lucent didn't quite understand how that game worked, so now the situation has gone nuclear -- and the only winners will be the lawyers. Like the supposed cockroaches who can survive nuclear fallout, you can count on patent attorneys to make out wonderfully in a patent nuclear war.
Reader Comments (rss)
(Flattened / Threaded)
by Thor on Mar 22nd, 2007 @ 12:50pm
Uuuhhh in your face Alcatel-Lucent ;)
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Reply to Masnick by Noel Le on Mar 22nd, 2007 @ 1:00pm
***...you can count on patent attorneys to make out wonderfully in a patent nuclear war.***
A suggested edit: Microsoft's patent attorneys will make out wonderfully while those at Lucent will be licking their wounds.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: Reply to Masnick by Anonymous Coward on Mar 22nd, 2007 @ 1:03pm
Licking their wounds???
They now have PLENTY of work to do for a long time. That's billable hours right there. I don't "lick my wounds" when I get paid more, and I doubt the lawyers in question here will be either.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
^^^ by Anonymous Coward on Mar 22nd, 2007 @ 2:06pm
Exactly, win or lose the lawyers stand to make big bucks. And unlike many professions, lawyers don't necessarily get the ax for losing cases - unless they show gross negligence or incompetence - some suits just can't be won.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Infringment by Starky on Mar 22nd, 2007 @ 3:15pm
I applied for the patent on Nuclear war and the patent on the idea of patenting something, so I'll sue them both!
I just applied, so there is plenty of prior art, but when has that ever stopped a patent?
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
patenting etc by micheal rossiter on Mar 23rd, 2007 @ 2:54am
Well I just patented the idea of 'starky' patenting the idea of patenting the idea of patenting.....etc you get the point.....
Of course someone out there will patent the idea of MY patenting.....
As a sub-note if I patent the idea of being a money-obsessed monster with no regard for other peoples time or creativity then how much would the MPAA/RIAA (and every lawyer on the planet) owe me?
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: patenting etc by Starky on Mar 23rd, 2007 @ 9:54am
"As a sub-note if I patent the idea of being a money-obsessed monster with no regard for other peoples time or creativity then how much would the MPAA/RIAA (and every lawyer on the planet) owe me?"
Approximately... ∞
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Add Your Comment