TomTom Sues Microsoft For Patent Infringement 166
CWmike writes "GPS device maker TomTom has shot back at Microsoft with a claim of patent infringement, after the software giant raised concerns in the Linux community with a recent lawsuit against TomTom. In a suit filed earlier this week, TomTom alleges that Microsoft infringes on four patents in mapping software Microsoft Streets and Trips. TomTom is asking for triple damages for willful infringement, since it says it had notified Microsoft about its alleged infringement. Microsoft said it was reviewing TomTom's filing and that it remains committed to a licensing solution and has been for more than a year."
Can I be the first to say (Score:1, Funny)
touche!
Go TomTom! *dances*
Re:Stop the world, I want off (Score:5, Funny)
Is it just me that is a bit fed up with this sort of situation?
Inter corporate relations look more and more like a kindergarden recess.
You infringed my patent, I will sue !
Did not nyah nyah
Did so, I'm telling on you
Oh yeah ? Well you infringed first, so there !
Oblig. Red Dwarf quote (Score:5, Funny)
RIMMER: Let's get out of here.
CAT: Wait, I know this game. It's called cat and mouse, and there's only one way to win; don't be the mouse.
LISTER: What are you saying?
CAT: I'm saying, the mouse never wins. Not unless you believe those lying cartoons. We don't run, we strike. It's the last thing they'll be expecting.
RIMMER: No, the last thing they'll be expecting is for us to turn into ice skating mongooses and to dance the Bolero. And your plan makes about as much sense.
LISTER: I say go with it.
KRYTEN: Agreed.
CAT: You're going to go with one of my plans? Are you nuts? What happens if we all get killed? I'll never hear the last of it!
Re:Total War? (Score:5, Funny)
Personally I'm waiting for IBM to jump on the band wagon and sue both TomTom and Microsoft for patent infringement for using electronic devices in implementing data reading. Then Oracle decides they want a slice of the pie and sues everyone for infringing on their patent to use patents to sue other companies. And just when this mexican standoff starts to get hairy, we get HP joining in claiming that everyone has violated their patent of patenting patents. At this point all the big guns come out and the pantent suites start flying until you need a a meter by meter poster to diagram out the connection using a 10pt font. The Lawyers then go to work, bankrupting all the companies and then turn around and ask the US government for a bailout. Which is when AIG strikes claiming that it would violate their patent of receiving government bailouts.
At this point the rest of the world decides to nuke the US to stop the disease from spreading.
Re:Yet another patent story... (Score:4, Funny)
Too lazy to post the link?
No, I'm using Chromium on Linux and though it's fast it crashes whenever I try to paste text. So thanks for posting the link.
"When did this start?" (Score:4, Funny)
I am picturing the MS headquarters, and a worried and puzzled Ballmer asking "When did this start, that companies stopped fearing us? And people actually NOT falling in line for each and every new Windows update we shit? And IE's marketshare declining???"
Next scene: chair flies through window.
Re:Total War? (Score:5, Funny)
Actually, Halliburton [uspto.gov] has the patent on patent trolling.
Lawyers. Now the Largest Industry in the USA (Score:4, Funny)
Scene in Office of Microsoft Legal team.
Head Honcho to team:-
Guys, this memo from SB says we may have to take a pay cut like other employees.
What can we do?
One of the team replies meekly:-
Sue someone?
Head Honcho:-
Great Idea. Who?
Another team member replies:-
My new car has this awesome sat nav. Shame it is not made by us
Head Honcho:-
Great. Lets sue them into oblivion. That should keep SB from threatening to cut our salaries.
Two of the team leave muttering
Oh Great. My Tom-Tom is great. Now we will all have to remove them from our cars.
Yeah. How are we going to find our way round this place if we don't have a decent SatNav?
Shhhhhh. If SB hears that you will get your pink slip on the spot.
Re:Stop the world, I want off (Score:1, Funny)
Taxpayer: You totally mishandled your own money, so we gave you a bunch of ours, and you mishandled that, too? I'm outraged you would do such a thing! I had every reason to believe you would handle OUR money much better than your own!!!
Re:Total War? (Score:2, Funny)
And then the dominoes will fall like a house of cards, checkmate!
Re:Total War? (Score:1, Funny)
STFU. In America, the "poor" are only poor because they are lazy or just plain stupid. Anyone who is willing to work hard and make a few sacrifices can easily get as much wealth as they desire.