Microsoft expands legal help for partners
InfoWorld | at | by Mike
Citing growing fears of litigation in the IT industry, Microsoft has expanded a program that helps protect PC makers and other partners against intellectual property litigation related to the use of its software, the company said Thursday.
When disputes over intellectual property arise, a defendant's channel partners are often also pursued over the alleged IP violations, said David Kaefer, director of business development in Microsoft's intellectual property and licensing group.
"It is fairly common for the channel to be the place where an IP holder chooses to assert a claim," he said. "The reason behind it is the channel often is in the least strong position to defend itself."