In the latest twist in a six-year legal battle, a federal judge overrules a jury's finding that Microsoft violated a Uniloc patent with its anti-piracy technology. The judge also throws out the jury's decision to award $388 million to Uniloc in damages.A federal
judge has tossed out a $388 million damage award against Microsoft in a patent
case that pitted the software giant against a security company called Uniloc.
The judge
vacated the jurys verdict Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for
Rhode Island, marking another twist in a case
that has gone on for six years. The case began in 2003 when Uniloc sued
Microsoft for infringing on a Uniloc patent relating to its anti-piracy
technology. In 2006, a federal judge ruled in favor of Microsoft, but that
decision was overturned later on appeal.
In April,
a
Rhode Island jury awarded Uniloc $388 million
in damages after finding Microsoft had violated the companys patent.
We are
pleased that the court has vacated the jury verdict and entered judgment in
favor of Microsoft, said Microsoft spokesman Kevin Kutz.
Officials
at Uniloc did not return a message for comment regarding the companys plans,
and whether or not they will appeal the judge's ruling.