[quote]StreamCast Networks, the company behind the Peer to Peer (P2P) file sharing program Morpheus, has sued 22 firms including eBay over patent infringement of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology.
StreamCast has sued Skype, now owned by eBay, for US$4 billion for using its network and infringing on its patent rights. The suit also seeks an injunction that prohibits eBay from selling Skype’s VoIP. Also, Sharman Networks, the founders of Kazaa, another file sharing network, have been indicted for providing the VOIP with Skype.[/quote]
Executives that aren’t constantly involved in the region they are responsible for can be caught by surprise. Do a prior art search? Actually see what others have patented before you do a marketing or business plan?
What is this going to do for VOIP? 22 firms? US$4 billion. Ai-yo.
eBay will probably find something so that they can counter sue. It seems like all these tech companies spend half the time getting their lawyers to find ways to sue each other.
nothing. not one. and with published applications - none.
If you expect everyone else to play by the rules you have to play by the rules yourself. Skype didn’t apply for any patents that have been published, therefore they have to pay the price. The law is there for a reason.
I don’t think you can blame anyone but the CTO of Skype - Art Reisman. I’m sure even I or anyone could have done a better job.
Sure it is great to have a great business plan but don’t forget the endgame. Either pay several milion dollars or bye bye Skype.
You be stupid, you pay the price.
Anyone else reading this, if you don’t like the rules change them. If you want to win overcome (within the limits of the rules) the rules.
Anyone can sue anyone for any amount of money they want. Doesn’t mean you have a valid suit or it’s really worth that amount of money. Only the judge or jury can make that determination and the strength of the case will determine whether the parties will settle. But the fact that StreamCast sued doesn’t mean they’re right.
nothing. not one. and with published applications - none.
If you expect everyone else to play by the rules you have to play by the rules yourself. Skype didn’t apply for any patents that have been published, therefore they have to pay the price. The law is there for a reason.[/quote]
No way, bud, you’re moving way too fast.
Maybe eBay/Skype aren’t infringing StreamCast’s patent/s. Have you examined the patent/s and technology and done a careful patent infringement analysis? Maybe StreamCast’s patent/s can be invalidated. Maybe you overlooked something in your search for Skype’s patents. Maybe eBay and/or Skype own patents through affiliated companies, etc.
A typical US patent infringement lawsuit will last over a year and cost well in excess of $1 million in legal fees per side. Maybe $5 or $10 million or more. The attorneys who try these cases tend to have MAs and PhDs in engineering or other technical fields along with their law degrees from top universities, they retain experts who charge in excess of $500 per hour, and they work diligently scrutinizing and arguing over every nuance of the patent language, the law and the relevant technology. A patent suit is an extremely complex thing that takes a long time to become familiar with.
No offense intended, but one can’t possibly make a fair evaluation and jump to a sound conclusion over it with a snap of the fingers, as you’ve done. If one could, the patent system wouldn’t be the screwed up mess that it is.