Same song, second verse: Microsoft sues Barnes & Noble for Android’s patent infringement

We should’ve known this was coming when Microsoft went after Motorola for Moto’s supposedly patent-infringing Android devices, and now Ballmer & Co. have their sights set on Barnes & Noble, Foxconn , and Inventec for making and selling the Nook Color . Once again, Microsoft has filed in both the ITC and the Western District of Washington Federal Court claiming that the Android OS infringes its patents, though the patents at issue have dwindled in number from nine to five this time around. Allegedly, the Nook Color is riddled with infringing bits from its tab-using web browser and web-document viewing capability to its text selection and book annotation features. Microsoft has resorted to litigation as a new means to get paid for its patents after year-long licensing negotiations with B&N bore little fruit (unlike those with HTC , who got with the licensing program). So count this as another clear message to manufacturers — Android’s open-source, but it ain’t free. Continue reading Same song, second verse: Microsoft sues Barnes & Noble for Android’s patent infringement Same song, second verse: Microsoft sues Barnes & Noble for Android’s patent infringement originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 19:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

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