Microsoft vs. Uniloc | And the winner is...

As per now, the verdict is that Microsoft does infringe on Singapore company Uniloc's patent to deter piracy. Microsoft ordered to pay US$388m to Uniloc.

Microsoft, the world's largest software maker, allegedly stole a Singapore company's patented invention used to deter piracy.

Media reports said Microsoft could pay more than US$558 million in royalties for that.

The lawyer for Uniloc Singapore, Paul Hayes, told jurors in a US court hearing that Microsoft saw the company's patent and used it without permission.

Uniloc claims that Microsoft used its security technology to earn billions of dollars.

But Microsoft argues it uses a different method to prevent the use of unauthorised copies of its software.

It also questioned whether Uniloc's patent covers a new invention, and said the patent is obvious and should be deemed invalid.

The trial in Providence, Rhode Island, began on March 23.

From Channel NewsAsia, "Microsoft allegedly stole S'pore firm's patented invention".

A federal jury ordered US software giant Microsoft on Wednesday to pay US$388 million to Uniloc for infringing on an anti-piracy software patent held by the Singapore and US-based company.

The award was made by a jury hearing the case in a district court in the US state of Rhode Island.

The jury ordered Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft to compensate Uniloc, which has its US headquarters in Irvine, California, for infringing on a patent for a security algorithm held by Uniloc.

The complaint against Microsoft was filed by Uniloc Singapore Private Ltd and Uniloc USA Inc. in October 2003.

Uniloc had accused Microsoft of infringing on its patent in its Windows operating systems, which power most of the world's personal computers, and in Office programs.

Microsoft said it would seek to have the verdict overturned.

"We are very disappointed in the jury verdict," said David Bowermaster, a Microsoft spokesman.

"We believe that we do not infringe, that the patent is invalid and that this award of damages is legally and factually unsupported," he said. "We will ask the court to overturn the verdict."

Microsoft had previously won the case but Uniloc convinced an appeals court to overturn the judge's ruling, arguing that the case was influenced by the testimony of an expert witness who had conflicts of interest.

Microsoft shares lost 0.16 per cent in after-hours trading to US$19.16 after rising 2.29 per cent on Wall Street on Wednesday.

From Channel NewsAsia, "Microsoft ordered to pay US$388m to Uniloc in patent case".