U.S. Supreme Court hears Microsoft case on patents

Tuesday, 19 April 2011, 23:58 IST
Printer Print Email Email
Washington: The U.S. Supreme Court immersed itself in patent rules in a case pitting Microsoft against a Canadian technology company that claims some versions of Word violated its patent. Eight of the nine judges -- the chief justice recused himself -- questioned the companies' lawyers at length on whether rules for challenging the validity of patents should be changed. Beyond the battle between the US software giant and Toronto-based i4i, at stake is the future of distribution of patents in the United States. A Microsoft victory would make it harder for patent holders to prove infringements. But if the court sides with i4i, some say it would stifle innovation. "It's a bad thing not to give protection to an invention that deserves it; and it is just as bad a thing to give protection to an invention that doesn't deserve it," justice Stephen Breyer said.
Source: PTI