Microsoft--a stalwart supporter of SCO's IP infringement claims against IBM--has vowed to fight the verdict of a federal jury that affirmed that the company's Internet Explorer browser violated the IP rights of a smaller ISV.
On Monday, a federal jury in Chicago agreed that IE violated an existing patent and awarded $521 million to the University of California and Chicago-based Eolas Technologies, which originally asked for $1.2 billion in damages. Eolas' founders were researchers at the University of California when they filed for the patent.
Microsoft denied that it violated the patent and said it will appeal the ruling to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.
A spokesman for Microsoft pointed out that the court ruled earlier that the company had not willfully infringed upon Eolas' patent, which allows customers to access interactive programs in Web pages. That feature was included in the Internet Explorer browser in Windows.
"While today's outcome is disappointing, we do plan to appeal this decision and we are confident the facts will support our position," the company said in a statement Monday. "It's important to note that the court has already rejected claims that there was any willful infringement. We believe the evidence will ultimately show that there was no infringement of any kind, and that the accused feature in our browser technology was developed by our own engineers based on pre-existing Microsoft technology."
Microsoft has backed SCO's IP case against IBM and has charged that some of the open-source technology making its way into Linux is covered by patents owned by SCO, as well as other vendors including Microsoft.
Microsoft's statement yesterday indicated that the company plans to fight the ruling and protect the interests of its many Windows customers that use IE.
"As an intellectual property company, Microsoft invests heavily in research and development, and is committed to respecting the intellectual property rights of others," the statement said. "Microsoft stands by its products and will continue to develop innovative technologies that benefit consumers. 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."