i4i wins appeal by Microsoft

December 23, 2009 · Filed Under Software News · Comment 

In the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, in Washington D.C., a panel of three judges returned their ruling on the appeal of i4i v. Microsoft and upheld jury’s verdict and all the findings of the August 11, 2009 Final Judgment that ruled in favor of i4i and found that Microsoft had willfully infringed i4i’s U.S. Patent No. 5,787,449, issued in 1998.

Loudon Owen, Chairman of i4i, says, “We couldn’t be more pleased with the ruling from the appeals court which upheld the lower court’s decision in its entirety. This is both a vindication for i4i and a war cry for talented inventors whose patents are infringed.” Mr. Owen adds, “The same guts and integrity that are needed to invent and go against the herd, are at the heart of success in patent litigation against a behemoth like Microsoft. Congratulations to our entire team who provided such dynamic leadership, courage and tenacity!”

Michel Vulpe, founder of i4i and co-inventor, says, “This ruling is clear and convincing evidence that our case was just and right, and that Microsoft wilfully infringed our patent.” Mr. Vulpe adds, “i4i is especially pleased with the court’s decision to uphold the injunction, an important step in protecting the property rights of small inventors. We will continue to fully and vigorously enforce our rights and we invite all potential customers interested in custom xml to contact us.”

i4i is a global technology company headquartered in Toronto, Canada. For more information on i4i v. Microsoft, selected court documents can be found on http://www.i4ilp.com.

Source: i4i

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SIIA Congratulates Senate Judiciary Committee for Action on Patent Reform

April 5, 2009 · Filed Under Software News · Comment 

Following the strong vote by members of the Senate Judiciary Committee in favor of S. 515, the “Patent Reform Act of 2009,” the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the principal association of the software and digital content industries, issued the following statement:

“SIIA congratulates the Senate Judiciary Committee for today’s action to pass the Patent Reform Act of 2009. This is significant progress toward maintaining America’s global competitiveness, creating jobs here at home, and modernizing the U.S. patent system.

“SIIA wants to especially thank Chairman Leahy for his steadfast leadership and persistent efforts to move this bill early in this Session. We also want to thank Senators Specter, Hatch and Feinstein for their efforts to build consensus for this bill.

“SIIA is especially pleased that the bill makes changes that begin to clarify the vague and uncertain rules for calculating damages, and to establish procedures for enhancing the quality of patents issued by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

“We know that there will be efforts to erode the progress that has been made, and we strongly urge the sponsors of the bill to fight such efforts.

“At the same time, SIIA acknowledges the views of Chairman Leahy that much more can be done to improve this important bill. SIIA looks forward to continuing to work with the bill sponsors to improve key areas of the legislation, including strengthening the clarity on how damages are calculated, improving the provisions on fair compensation to inventors for actual harm, ensuring PTO’s ability to review patents that may be improperly granted, and generally to ensure that the abuses of the litigation practices involving patents are foreclosed.

“SIIA also strongly encourages leadership of both parties to schedule time for S. 515 to come to the floor of the Senate as soon as possible.”

Source: Software & Information Industry Association

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Microsoft and Gecad Technologies Announce Exchange ActiveSync Patent License Agreement

March 28, 2009 · Filed Under Software News · Comment 

Microsoft Corp. and Gecad Technologies today announced a patent licensing agreement to implement Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync on Gecad’s AXIGEN Mail Server offering. The agreement allows AXIGEN e-mail servers to directly synchronize e-mail and data between mobile devices utilizing Microsoft’s Exchange ActiveSync technology. The Exchange ActiveSync protocol enables mobile client devices such as Windows Mobile-based smartphones to synchronize e-mail messages, calendar items, contacts, task lists and other mailbox data with AXIGEN Mail Server.

Gecad also announced that the product kits for AXIGEN Mail Server version 7.0 featuring Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync are available for download today at http://www.axigen.com.

“This agreement enhances the ability for AXIGEN e-mail servers to directly synchronize with various mobile devices, including those using Windows Mobile, that utilize Exchange ActiveSync,” said Oana Bornaz, chief executive officer of Gecad Technologies. “During tough economic times this agreement makes good business sense, as it will allow AXIGEN to further differentiate itself from its competitors in the business messaging solutions marketplace, in a cost-effective manner.”

While Microsoft has been licensing the Exchange ActiveSync protocol for mobile devices since 2003, Gecad Technologies joins a growing number of companies licensing the Exchange ActiveSync patents for implementation on a server.

“Gecad came to us a few months ago because it recognizes, like so many technology companies across Europe, that a way to spur growth in our industry is to license patented technology for mutual benefit,” said David Kaefer, general manager of Intellectual Property Licensing at Microsoft. “People — and companies — want to know their communications foundation is secure, reliable and accessible across many mobile devices, from PDAs to smartphones. And Microsoft has been helping companies overcome those challenges through our Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync licensing program.”

This agreement extends the collaboration between the two companies, as AXIGEN recently became a member of Microsoft’s Empower initiative for independent software vendors. More information is available at: http://www.axigen.com/press/press-releases/news-axigen-joins-microsofts-empower-initiative-for-isvs_81.html

Microsoft’s Commitment to Licensing Technology
The licensing agreement is another example of the important role intellectual property (IP) plays in ensuring a healthy and vibrant IT ecosystem. Since Microsoft launched its IP licensing program in December 2003, the company has entered into more than 500 licensing agreements and recently announced an expansion of its Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync IP licensing program. These licensing efforts help make it possible for customers, partners and competitors to access its IP portfolio. The program was developed to open access to Microsoft’s significant research and development investments and its growing, broad patent and IP portfolio.

Over the past few years, Microsoft has entered into Exchange ActiveSync licensing agreements with Apple Inc., Big Bang System Corp., DataViz Inc., Google Inc., Helio LLC, IXI Mobile (R&D) Ltd., Nokia Corp., Palm Inc., Remoba Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, Symbian Software Ltd. and Xandros Inc.

More information about Microsoft’s licensing programs is available at http://www.microsoft.com/iplicensing.

AXIGEN and Gecad Technologies
Established in 2001, Gecad Technologies SA, member of the GECAD Group, is the vendor of AXIGEN, a messaging solution for professionals that ensures an efficient and secure worldwide communication environment and business growth for both service providers and companies of all sizes. Currently, AXIGEN is distributed internationally by over 170 partners from 80 countries and manages email traffic for more than 11,000 companies with 6 million end-users.

Our team of seasoned professionals, with 15 years of experience in messaging and IT security delivers cutting-edge products, by developing an innovative carrier-class technology based on proprietary architectures such as AXIGEN GrowSecure™, AXIGEN SmartProcessing™ and AXIGEN UltraStorage™. For more details, please visit: http://www.axigen.com

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