Judge Vindicates Microsoft/Autodesk

Two months ago, a jury found Autodesk (and Microsoft) guilty of infringing patents owned by Z4 Technoligies on preventing unlicensed use of software. But the case didn't end there.

Applying the Supreme Court's May ruling in MercExchange v. eBay, a Texas federal judge denied the request of Z4 Technologies Inc., a tiny Michigan software firm, to bar Microsoft from selling, making and using its infringing Windows and Office products. The judge ruled that because Microsoft only uses the infringing technology as a small component of its own software, Z4 will not lose profits, brand-name recognition or market share.

You can read the rest of Xenia Kobylarz's report at "Microsoft Wins Patent Case With 'eBay' Argument."

The article doesn't make it clear whether Autodesk is also cleared, but I assume it does.