SEATTLE (Reuters) - A federal jury in Chicago awarded the University of California and a browser technology company $521 million after finding that their patents were infringed by Microsoft Corp. MSFT.O
The suit, originally brought against the world's largest software maker in 1999 by Eolas Technologies Inc., charged that Microsoft had used Eolas' patented Web browser technology that allows other mini-applications to work with Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser, according to court documents.
Eolas had argued that the technology for "plug-ins" and "applets" made it possible for Microsoft to compete against the Netscape Navigator browser, which was overtaken by Microsoft in the late 1990s. Eolas had sued Microsoft for $1.2 billion.
"While today's outcome is disappointing we do plan to appeal this decision," a Microsoft spokesman said. "We're confident the facts will support our position."
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle....SCRBAEZSFEY?type=businessNews&storyID=3258691
The suit, originally brought against the world's largest software maker in 1999 by Eolas Technologies Inc., charged that Microsoft had used Eolas' patented Web browser technology that allows other mini-applications to work with Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser, according to court documents.
Eolas had argued that the technology for "plug-ins" and "applets" made it possible for Microsoft to compete against the Netscape Navigator browser, which was overtaken by Microsoft in the late 1990s. Eolas had sued Microsoft for $1.2 billion.
"While today's outcome is disappointing we do plan to appeal this decision," a Microsoft spokesman said. "We're confident the facts will support our position."
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle....SCRBAEZSFEY?type=businessNews&storyID=3258691