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Micorosft

Microsoft Sues TomTom Over In-Car Navigation IP

by Jason Wilk on February 25, 2009

Microsoft today filed a lawsuit against in-car navigation company, TomTom, alleging that the in-car navigation company’s devices violate eight of its patent. Three of the patent claims accuse TomTom’s implementation of the Linux kernel steps on Microsoft IP, and five others violate proprietary software. More specifically, five of the patents in dispute relate to in-car navigation technologies, while the other three involve file-management techniques. Horacio Gutierrez, Microsoft corporate vice president and deputy general counsel for IP, said that they could not reach a pragmatic business agreement and have no choice but to pursue legal action.
Intellectual Property is a big business for the software giant, who has struck more than 500 patent licensing deals in the past five years. Microsoft houses one, if not the top research team for emerging technologies, most of which never see the light of day and sit in a large book of patents.

Trying to keep up on legal tech? Check out these recent cases.

by Jason Wilk on January 1, 2009

What started as a rumor yesterday is apparently turning out to be true. Microsoft is set to lay off 15,000 people on January 15th. Inside staff is confirming the story
Microsoft currently employs around 90,000 people globally. Laying off 15,000 would result in a 17% cut in their total workforce. What’s strange is that Microsoft is doing relatively well up against the struggling economy. Their margins are good, search market share is growing, however stock price is down nearly 40% in the last 6 months.
How would they be laying off this many people? Speculation is that they will be closing one if not more entire departments. Their Zune department is struggling, gaining traction online is costing more than it’s bringing in, numbers are down in Europe, Middle East and Africa, not to mention 2009 is supposed to be a much worse year than 2008.
The layoffs will go down right around Microsoft’s Q2 earnings report, which takes place on January 22. Stay tuned….

On a side note: Isn’t it funny that if you type in Microsoft Layoffs into Google Images, only photos of Yahoo show up? Coincidence?

by Jason Wilk on November 6, 2008

Jerry Yang’s @ the Web 2.0 Summit.
A worthwhile watch as Jerry talks about how his ego didn’t get in the way over the Microsoft deal and staying an independant company is not what he was protecting. He discusses why he is upset the Google deal didn’t go through as well and questions why they gave up so soon.