Judge throws out $1.52 billion Alcatel-Lucent suit against Microsoft

Last we heard, in February Alcatel-Lucent won a $1.52 billion suit against Microsoft for infringement of its MP3 patents despite the fact that Redmond paid up $16 million to MP3 co-developer the Fraunhofer Institute. Well, even given the 7-1 vote in favor of Alcatel-Lucent leading to the previous federal ruling, presiding US District Judge Rudi Brewster overturned the suit in a 43 page legal novella you absolutely must read, stating that one of the two patents wasn't infringed, and the other patent's infringement was in question anyway, due to the fact that Microsoft did, in fact, cough up those millions to Fraunhofer. Of course, Alcatel-Lucent intends to appeal the decision just the same way Microsoft's previously appealed the original decision -- and with $1.52 billion at stake, we all know damned well this is going to go back and forth for, well, as long as it takes. Who really wins? The layers, obviously.

[Thanks, David and Mark]

[JWest @ Aug 7th 2007 2:53AM]

The layers? Try lawyers.

[Jagannath A @ Aug 7th 2007 9:38AM]

or even 'liars' :P

[grog @ Aug 7th 2007 11:09AM]

Ogres have layers

[Eric @ Aug 7th 2007 2:11PM]

No, I'm pretty sure it's layers. Someone's gonna end up screwed, and it's most likely us consumers.

[Fox McCloud @ Aug 7th 2007 2:57AM]

Someone should patent air and charge everyone who breathes.

[Christian @ Aug 7th 2007 3:05AM]

they will be taxing every drop of rain soon too...
why do I feel like that's a part of a song?

[Steven @ Aug 7th 2007 8:24AM]

I already did that. Checks and money orders for one time fee can be sent to: steven air inc. Next for company will be rights to use of certain words, speech pattern, and using your hands when you talk.

[Mile @ Aug 7th 2007 11:32AM]

Not air, but the process of breathing should be easy enough to patent. You could tax air and charge people to breathe - win win!

[TJF @ Aug 7th 2007 3:17AM]

Layers? The onions win again.

[Bernhard @ Aug 7th 2007 3:24AM]

Is Bill Gates still the richest person in the world?

[PSU_Boss @ Aug 7th 2007 4:15AM]

Apparently not... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6934418.stm

[jasonpwright @ Aug 7th 2007 10:57AM]

Yes, but can you put a price on worldwide influence? I don't think Mr. Slim's bottling, telephone, or retail chains in Mexico can hold a candle to Gates worldwide influence, no matter how much you love or hate Microsoft. And then, lets add the money Gates has donated...

[Matt @ Aug 7th 2007 4:15AM]

Those damn layers always win :(

Somebody needs to flatten and merge those jerks!

[nih @ Aug 7th 2007 8:10AM]

That's one hell of an expensive suit.

It better be pinstripe.

[nikster @ Aug 7th 2007 9:23AM]

I will use this opportunity to say something I have never said, and probably will never say again: Microsoft FTW!

[Ryan @ Aug 7th 2007 2:03PM]

For the must read brief, does anyone have a link?

[DartonLane @ Aug 8th 2007 3:17AM]

Thank God MS won, it does matter. If they lost, the next stop would be Apple, and basically every OS and MP3 manufacturer after that...

[Matt @ Aug 8th 2007 5:16AM]

On a completely unrelated note, you should *totally* see Judge Brewster's new Ferrari.

[sergery @ Aug 9th 2007 11:17AM]

why not a parfait? Every loves a parfait.