The problem with lawsuits against Microsoft is it’s hard to tell when they’re being evil and when they’re simply being accused of it.
Symantec is trying to block Microsoft from releasing its new Vista Windows operating system, claiming the company has stolen trade secrets.
In a federal court action in Seattle, it accuses Microsoft of using Symantec’s technology to develop its own competing features and products, and also claims Microsoft is in breach of contract related to a licensing deal with Veritas, which Symantec acquired last year.
Symantec wants an injunction to block the further development, sale or distribution of Vista – the already-delayed next version of Windows seen as crucial for Microsoft to move ahead in the face of growing competition from the likes of Google.
More links:
MoneyControl.com
Network World
I’d ask if this will derail Vista, but the real question is if Microsoft will pay to shut Symantec up, or just try to bury them in court.
I think they will pay!
The obvious question is what is there from Norton that is WORTH stealing.
“I’d ask if this will derail Vista, but the real question is if Microsoft will pay to shut Symantec up, or just try to bury them in court.”
Or buy them!
Who cares? They both write bloatware that it’s hard not to have written something they didn’t somehow managed to cram into their programs and OS.
Microsoft should just by Symantec, the whole company.
If telcos sue to stop free wi-fi or try to block Skype that’s bad, but if people sue to block Microsoft from releasing technology, that’s good? Weren’t you blogging before about how it’s bad that MS delayed Vista?
I thought that Symantec’s security software already did that on XP. No wonder ppl only get it for the norton utilities.
Y’all could use a few facts to rub together. This little argument has supposedly nothing at all to do with security software.
Ten years ago MS partnered with Veritas on some storage software. Two years ago MS bought the IP rights to that software. Then Symantec bought Veritas. Now Symantec is basically saying the MSVeritas contract doesn’t allow MS to use the IP they thought they paid for.
Not much more is known. But the above nutshell version shows that (unless Symantec considers this a shot across the bow) this isn’t about Norton or any of Symantec’s undeservedly popular security software.