Forgent Sues Microsoft Over Infringement Of JPEG Patent

by Glen Shapiro, LawAndTax-News.com, New York

25 April 2005

Software vendor, Forgent Networks on Thursday added Microsoft to the list of companies alleged to have infringed its patent on a data compression technique used by the JPEG image standard.

In April 2004, Forgent filed patent infringement cases against 31 leading technology and photographic firms, including Agfa, Canon, Dell, Eastman Kodak, Fuji, Macromedia, Xerox, Gateway, HP, and Toshiba over the issue.

Forgent explained in a statement that the suit against Microsoft had been filed with the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas following the software giant's failure to license the technology in question, and its decision to launch a pre-emptive action against Forgent.

On April 15, Microsoft filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against Forgent seeking a declaratory judgment of noninfringement, invalidity and unenforceability of the '672 Patent.

"Forgent intends to vigorously pursue its claims for patent infringement against Microsoft. We believe we will prevail in this action as the '672 Patent is valid, enforceable and infringed by Microsoft," Richard Snyder, chairman and CEO of Forgent announced, continuing:

"It's unfortunate that, despite Microsoft's recent inquiries about licensing the patent, they chose to file a lawsuit, leaving us no alternative but to assert infringement claims against it."

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