Microsoft, HP, IBM safe from Kodak software patent
InfoWorld | at | by Mike
Though a Friday patent lawsuit verdict against Sun Microsystems Inc. could potentially have a wide-ranging impact on the computer industry, the ruling appears unlikely to affect three of the world's largest IT companies, who have licensed the technology in question. Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Microsoft are licensees of the software patents in question, the patents' owner, Eastman Kodak, confirmed Monday.
On Friday, a federal jury in New York ruled Friday that Sun's Java technology violated several Kodak patents, setting the stage for a damages ruling against Sun that could cost the Santa Clara, California, computer maker as much as $1.06 billion, which is the amount being sought by Kodak.