Legal questions dog Microsoft acquistion
PC World | at | by Mike
With the ink barely dry on Microsoft's acquisition of anti-spyware vendor Giant Company Software, questions have arisen about the ownership of the anti-spyware code Microsoft bought. Sunbelt President Alex Eckelberry says that his company has exclusive rights over elements of the technology, including the ability to offer SDKs (software developer's kits) for Giant AntiSpyware technology.
That could make it difficult for Microsoft to integrate Giant technology with other products. Microsoft issued a short statement regarding Sunbelt's claims Thursday saying, "We understand that Giant granted a co-ownership right to Sunbelt concerning an earlier version of Gianta??s anti-spyware software product. However, the granting of that right to Sunbelt does not constrain either party from innovating and developing new products that are based on that earlier version."