Microsoft loses patent case, gets $388 million fine

Microsoft was hit with a $388 million patent infringement fine yesterday, following a lengthy legal brawl that dates back to 2003 with security software vendor Uniloc. The patent in question was for an anti-piracy solution that prevents the creation, distribution and use of unauthorized copies of software – which Microsoft allegedly infringed with its software activation methods.

The decision is a reversal of an earlier judgment in which the courts originally favored the software giant, with Uniloc appealing their losing verdict on the argument that a key expert witness used by Microsoft had a conflict of interest in giving his testimony. The appeal was granted and Uniloc won this second trial in court. The damages awarded are one of the largest on record in legal disputes involving patents. However, it might take a while before Uniloc actually sees any of that money, as Microsoft has announced its intention to appeal.

http://www.techspot.com/news/34219-microsoft-loses-patent-case-gets-388-million-fine.html

They have enough profits that it won't hurt them that bad

ouch...

Makes you wonder though - if they had just built their own software, they could have avoided burning $388mil for no reason.

I hope Microsoft can survive after such a staggering loss.

Any other company would be seriously hurt.. but MS can take it.

Time to make another halo.

do these things typically have juries? it seems like it would be far too easy to convince a jury that the big bad corporation was picking on the little guy regardless of what happened

Let me guess another appeal, another expert testimony, another overturned verdict. This will go on for another year at least.

Ouch... too bad, huh.