AmiCOUR IP Group News and Opinions

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June 1,  2010 - After taking it on the chin in the Federal Courts, settling other infringement claims, and speaking out for patent reform, Microsoft may have awakened its enforcement forces to protect its own patent rights. While the nuclear option of Federal Court litigation may be commonplace for IP licensing, the software giant has seldom aimed its legal powers at infringers. Amidst rumors of a change in IP strategy, Microsoft filed a complaint against Salesforce.com. Salesforce.com's CEO postured by publically calling his new litigation opponent a patent troll, a remark partially understandable given Salesforce.com's history fending off NPE claims. Microsoft hired Sidley & Austin for the case. Some experts believe Salesforce.com has workarounds to help maintain the site's renowned ease of use. The future will tell us if Microsoft's filing date will go down in history as the Day the Earth Stood Still or another ordinary day in the software business. Read comments.