TomTom Fires Back in Microsoft Patent War
Navigation software maker TomTom is now beating its drums against Microsoft for patent rights and has aligned with the Open Invention Network.
Responding to Microsoft's allegation that TomTom violated eight of its patents (see also), the Dutch manufacturer of navigation software is now fighting back. March 16 TomTom filed a patent infringement countersuit in Virginia federal court and also joined the Open Invention Network (OIN) to get a thicker shield against Microsoft.
OIN, to which also Google, IBM, Red Hat, Sony and Novell subscribe among other firms, is committed to rapid software innovation and "a refined model of intellectual property management" that safeguards open source rights. It does this by acquiring software patents and awarding them to individuals with the condition that they not claim against Linux or any of its associated firms. OIN also cooperates with Linux Defenders and the Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC).
TomTom is now in a proper defensive position with its portfolio of patents and the legal support at its back. It claims that Microsoft violates four of its patents with its Streets and Trips product. Even though Microsoft general counsel Horacio Gutierrez emphasizes that the earlier MS lawsuit against TomTom is not against Linux in general, a successful outcome could negatively impact its Linux rivals.
Whether Microsoft's patents have any validity is something OIN will have to work out. The project is searching for prior art to determine if earlier patent algorithms had already existed before the patents were filed. The Microsoft-TomTom battle continues.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Gnome 47.1 Released with a Few Fixes
The latest release of the Gnome desktop is all about fixing a few nagging issues and not about bringing new features into the mix.
-
System76 Unveils an Ampere-Powered Thelio Desktop
If you're looking for a new desktop system for developing autonomous driving and software-defined vehicle solutions. System76 has you covered.
-
VirtualBox 7.1.4 Includes Initial Support for Linux kernel 6.12
The latest version of VirtualBox has arrived and it not only adds initial support for kernel 6.12 but another feature that will make using the virtual machine tool much easier.
-
New Slimbook EVO with Raw AMD Ryzen Power
If you're looking for serious power in a 14" ultrabook that is powered by Linux, Slimbook has just the thing for you.
-
The Gnome Foundation Struggling to Stay Afloat
The foundation behind the Gnome desktop environment is having to go through some serious belt-tightening due to continued financial problems.
-
Thousands of Linux Servers Infected with Stealth Malware Since 2021
Perfctl is capable of remaining undetected, which makes it dangerous and hard to mitigate.
-
Halcyon Creates Anti-Ransomware Protection for Linux
As more Linux systems are targeted by ransomware, Halcyon is stepping up its protection.
-
Valve and Arch Linux Announce Collaboration
Valve and Arch have come together for two projects that will have a serious impact on the Linux distribution.
-
Hacker Successfully Runs Linux on a CPU from the Early ‘70s
From the office of "Look what I can do," Dmitry Grinberg was able to get Linux running on a processor that was created in 1971.
-
OSI and LPI Form Strategic Alliance
With a goal of strengthening Linux and open source communities, this new alliance aims to nurture the growth of more highly skilled professionals.