CSIRO's patent lawsuits conclude with the final 13 companies settling

Looks like CSIRO's legal days are over -- for the moment, at least. Having already reached an agreement with HP, the Australian government-funded research firm announced this week that it's settled with the remaining 13 companies it sued for patent infringement, claiming it owned the rights to 802.11a/g. For those who haven't been keeping track at home, that includes Dell, Intel, Microsoft, Nintendo, Fujitsu, Toshiba, Netgear, Buffalo, D-Link, Belkin, SMC, Accton, and 3Com. The details of any of the settlements are undisclosed, but as iTnews reports, it's expected CSIRO ended up with some substantial monies now that the dust has settled. Chief Executive Dr. Megan Clark noted that it'll continue to "defend its intellectual property," so if you're a high profile tech company who creates WiFi-equipped gadgets and hasn't been served a lawsuit yet, we don't blame you for being a little nervous right now.

[huggles @ Apr 22nd 2009 1:02AM]

Australian Made(tm)

[Mitch @ Apr 22nd 2009 3:24AM]

I don't see why everyone is against CSIRO here, they own the technology... Isn't it fair they are paid for that?

[Harkonian @ Apr 22nd 2009 3:45PM]

I think that everyone has gotten so fed up with patent trolls that the first reaction to any article like this is to slam the company who is suing for infringement.

[CleverEndeavor @ Apr 22nd 2009 1:03AM]

lol wut?

[Taliesin @ Apr 22nd 2009 1:14AM]

:(

I put in a news tip.. no mention of me *sob story*
Deffinatly Australian made thou~

[mocax @ Apr 22nd 2009 1:46AM]

why did IEEE assume that CSIRO won't sue over the patent and included the patented component into the wifi standard?

[The Dude @ Apr 22nd 2009 1:57AM]

They probably thought Australians are too busy:
1. Chasing baby-stealing dingoes
2. Wrestling crocodiles
3. Getting impaled by sting rays (Too soon?)
4. Eating Vegemite
5. Throwing shrimp on the barbie

[CJ @ Apr 22nd 2009 2:25AM]

1. They're just big cuddly labradors really
2. More like culling. With Rifles.
3. You're about however-long-it's-been-since-about-a-week-after-his-death too late.
4. Hell yes.
5. Who the hell eats barbequed prawns?

[tompratt0 @ Apr 22nd 2009 2:26AM]

@The Dude

Which I, as an Australian, have done none of, except for eating vegemite, which I haven't eaten for years.

[aj121489 @ Apr 22nd 2009 2:28AM]

@ The Dude

Lmao no, definitely not too soon. That whole list made my night/morning, whatever you wanna call it. That was hilarious, thank you

[copeys @ Apr 22nd 2009 2:50AM]

@tompratt0

You have never had a BBQ prawn? OMG.

Thats all the seafood we ever have. Prawns, and prawns on the BBQ.

Also, vegemite, love it on toast ;)

[Mitch @ Apr 22nd 2009 3:29AM]

@The Dude
I for one am an Australian stereotype. I am far to busy eating Vegimite to sue Dell, Intel, Microsoft, Nintendo, Fujitsu, Toshiba, Netgear, Buffalo, D-Link, Belkin, SMC, Accton, and 3Com

[Alan Strangis @ Apr 22nd 2009 9:55AM]

I'm no Aussie, but barbecued shrimp rock! Same day fresh, 1/3 lb. brush with garlic butter and throw them on the upper tray.

[The Jimmy James @ Apr 22nd 2009 2:31AM]

I should file a patent titled, "Method of Acquiring Wealth through Verbal Agreements, Written Contracts, and Exchange of Goods and Services."

I could then sue the whole of the Earth.

[VanillaSpice @ Apr 22nd 2009 7:14PM]

I'm sorry, do you actually think that 802.11 was "obvious", based on prior art, or otherwise unpatentable? Try to think instead of posting knee-jerk reactions. CSIRO are not patent trolls, and a patent on 802.11 tech is hardly going to be so obvious that it should not be patented.

You reduce the impact of any criticism of genuine patent trolls, when you "cry wolf" in situations like this.

[Al Mansur @ Apr 22nd 2009 2:32AM]

I'll wait the further report about the details, Thnx

[American @ Apr 22nd 2009 7:50AM]

we americans will do whatever we want! the rest of the world is under us

[Intrepid @ Apr 22nd 2009 9:20AM]

A new Australia is in town son, and we aren't your bitches anymore.

[mitsu @ Apr 23rd 2009 2:33AM]

MS Just paid out $1b dollars recently for that patent infringement, so I'd say a couple of aussie scientists will be keeping their jobs for a while longer. :)

http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25370534-15306,00.html