US software developer Symantec has filed a lawsuit against
Microsoft, claiming that the Redmond-based company has been
misusing its technology. The lawsuit was filed on Thursday in a
federal court in Seattle.
"Microsoft has deliberately and surreptitiously misappropriated
Symantec's valuable data-storage technologies, misled and thereby
convinced the United States government to issue patents to
Microsoft based on technologies invented by Symantec, attempted
unsuccessfully to persuade Symantec to forgive Microsoft' s
misdeeds under the guise of expanding a business relationship, and
ultimately built portions of its next generation operating system
on this house of cards."
Furthermore, Symantec wants to block the release of Microsoft's
Widows Vista until the the Court gives its verdict.
On the other hand, Microsoft says the accusations are
unfoundedand "will be shown to be without merit." The software
giant said it had previously purchased intellectual property rights
for all the technologies involved from Veritas, two years ago.
Veritas was acquired by Symantec one year later, in 2005.
However, it seems Microsoft has something to worry about. The
company admitted that it tried "to resolve these issues with
Symantec " but didn't manage to reach an agreement.
With the development of Vista already years behind its original
schedule, another delay would be a devastating blow for Microsoft,
both in terms of money and public image. Garnet analysts already
stated that the Vista would be further delayed. Also, Microsoft
hoped the upcoming Vista release would improve the way US customers
think about the company.
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seems like MS is stepping on everyone toes
