12/08/2003

Microsoft fined $521 million in patent dispute

Microsoft has been fined $521 million today by a court in Chicago following a dispute over patent infringement.

This was less than the approximately $1.2 billion Eolas was seeking in the trial – but is the biggest award in US courts this year.

The jury found for Eolas Technologies in its patent-infringement case against Microsoft Corporation. The CEO of Eolas, Michael Doyle, claimed that he and two others developed web browser technology in 1994 and they then applied to patent it– which was granted in 1998.

The Eolas suit claimed that Microsoft had used the technology for their Internet Explorer package from 1995.

Microsoft has said that it intends to appeal today’s ruling to the US Circuit Court of Appeals.

In a statement, the company said: "While today’s outcome is disappointing, we do plan to appeal this decision and we are confident the facts and the law will support our position.

"Regardless of the ultimate outcome of this case, Microsoft will work hard to ensure that there is very little if any impact on our customers."

(gmcg)

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