one for 2003:
MWKC
Microsoft executive, said Monday it is suing the software giant
for allegedly violating a patent on conducting electronic
commerce.
Seattle-based Network Commerce said the patent covers a
method for online shopping that uses separate servers and a
piece of software to coordinate downloading of software, music
and video over the Internet.
The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Seattle, was
similar to one Network Commerce filed last December against
digital music technology firm Liquid Audio Inc. <LQID.O>.
"We believe that Microsoft infringes on our patented
technology in various Microsoft products, including but not
limited to the Windows operating system and the Windows Media
Technology products," Chief Executive Dwayne Walker said in a
statement.
A Network Commerce spokeswoman said a trial date had been
set for September 2003.
A Microsoft spokesman was not immediately available to
comment.
Walker, who worked at Microsoft from 1989 to 1996 and held
a variety of management positions, said in the statement that
he hoped to reach an agreement, such as a licensing deal, with
his former employer.
"I am proud of and grateful for my years at Microsoft. I
continue to be a shareholder and a fan of the company. But that
doesn't change our obligation to defend Network Commerce's
rights to it's innovative intellectual property," Walker said.
Network Commerce, which runs shopping sites like
shopnow.com and bottomdollar.com, as well as offers e-commerce
tools, was delisted from the Nasdaq last August and now trades
on the over-the-counter market.
((Scott Hillis, Seattle bureau, 206-386-4848;
scott.hillis1@reuters.com))
REUTERS
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