Microsoft pays $440M for DRM license
p2pnet.net News:- It’s costing Microsoft $440 million to settle a lawsuit accusing it of violating InterTrust Technologies patents.
Microsoft has taken a “comprehensive license to InterTrust?s patent portfolio for a one-time payment of $440 million,” says InterTrust, going on:
“The agreement resolves all outstanding litigation between the two companies.
“In addition, InterTrust receives rights under Microsoft patents to design and publish InterTrust reference technology specifications related to DRM (Digital Rights Management) and security. Microsoft and InterTrust believe this agreement will accelerate adoption and development of DRM technologies.
“The settlement agreement ensures that Microsoft?s end user customers can use Microsoft products and services as they are intended to be used without requiring a license from InterTrust. In addition, software developers who build products using Microsoft platform technology will not require an InterTrust license for normal and expected uses of the Microsoft technology.”
But, InterTrust points out, developers, including system integrators, may still need a license from InterTrust for other uses of Microsoft technology, “including cases in which Microsoft technology is combined with third party technology”.
