Patents : Tech news from CNET News.com

Making sense of Microsoft and open source

February 22, 2008 1:48 AM PST

The software giant's latest move offers a nice dose of kumbaya to open-source developers, but it goes only so far.

Silent start-up readies to take on Intel in notebooks

February 6, 2008 12:00 PM PST

Montalvo has some cash and a lot of execs with deep backgrounds in the chip industry. But will it have the staying power to survive against Intel?

Week in review: Apple goes into thin 'Air'

January 18, 2008 6:00 PM PST

Ultrathin laptop debuts, along with other Apple products, as Microsoft gets patent-happy. Also: Detroit auto show goes green.

Eco-Patent Commons shares earth-friendly tech

January 14, 2008 5:05 AM PST

Launch of Eco-Patents Commons puts environmental sustainability patents from IBM, Sony, Nokia, and Pitney Bowes into the public domain.

Google applies for image text patent

January 7, 2008 5:03 PM PST

Search giant filed a patent application last year for extracting and using text that can be seen in image and video files.

Red Hat voices concerns over Microsoft patent model

October 25, 2007 5:23 PM PDT

After EU antitrust ruling, company questions whether Microsoft's patent arrangement is compatible with open-source licensing.

Aruba strikes back at Motorola's patent claims

October 22, 2007 7:30 PM PDT

Sued by Motorola in August over four WLAN-related patents, Aruba is now countersuing, arguing that its use of the patents had gone unchallenged for years.

Dell: Microsoft warnings haven't hurt Linux uptake

October 12, 2007 5:24 PM PDT

CEO Michael Dell says Microsoft's patent-infringement claims have not affected sales of its Linux servers.

Fixing a broken patent system

October 10, 2007 5:38 PM PDT

Week in review: Microsoft gets its game on

September 28, 2007 5:36 PM PDT

Long-awaited Halo 3 makes big debut, Vonage loses patent appeal, and Washington looks at Google-DoubleClick and Net taxes.

Patent law overhaul: Bad for start-ups?

September 20, 2007 9:15 PM PDT

Patent-dependent companies and inventors have fighting words for a bill that passed the House and, they hope, will die in the Senate.

Gauging Microsoft threat to Europe's Linux users

September 20, 2007 5:33 PM PDT

Company could call on patents filed with the European Patent Office to sue U.K. open-source users, but the situation's complicated.

House OKs revamp of patent system

September 7, 2007 10:11 PM PDT

Congress takes major step toward changes long sought by big tech companies. But there's no guarantee that proposal will become law.

NetApp files patent suit against Sun

September 6, 2007 1:04 AM PDT

Network Appliance alleges Sun Microsystems' ZFS storage software violates seven of its patents, seeks permanent injunction.

Week in review: Patent woes

August 10, 2007 6:00 PM PDT

Telephone tech's No. 1 obstacle? Patents. Also, Apple's summer hardware harvest, and Linux spreads its wings.

Google joins open-source patent network

August 8, 2007 4:35 PM PDT

Membership in Open Invention Network will see it agree to cross-license open source-related patents to other members for free.

Qualcomm cell phone ban to take effect

August 7, 2007 1:10 AM PDT

Qualcomm loses latest battle to reverse the International Trade Commission's import ban on its technology, says it will continue the fight.

Novell boosts legal team with litigation expert

August 6, 2007 5:22 PM PDT

Company taps high-powered patent lawyer Eric Acker, who has a formidable history, including 45 jury trials as a federal prosecutor.

eBay wins round in 'Buy it now' patent redux

July 30, 2007 5:40 PM PDT

Judge won't force the auction giant to stop using the MercExchange patent, but the tiny patent-licensing firm plans to appeal.

Attorney: GPLv3 may not bind Microsoft

July 25, 2007 4:23 PM PDT

Software giant likely will be able to extricate itself from the implications of the open-source license, lawyer says.