| Priceline.com Inc. yesterday announced it has filed a lawsuit against Microsoft Corp. for alleged patent infringement. The most probable incident has happened. The future of this lawsuit will have huge effects not only on e-commerce but on the progress of world industries. |
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Hereafter I will describe briefly how it came out based on a report dated October 13 by dow jones.com. iAn upper right picture was taken today. The dow jones put news report not of today into archive. So the picture does not carry the dates. When I saw it yesterday on screen, it was dated October 13.) Priceline alleges it had talks with Microsoft for eight months to build a mutually beneficial business relationship, including a possible joint marketing deal and licensing of Priceline's patent. Priceline claims Microsoft executives asked for, and Priceline provided confidential information. But at the final stage, Bill Gates surprised Mr. Walker, the founder of Priceline, telling him that Microsoft had no intention of allowing patent rights to stand in its way.
While not a few people are doubtful whether invisible innovations are patentable, Priceline is making efforts to become a big player on e-business by utilizing its patent right on nonobvious innovation.
Although this attitude of Microsoft can be said as Bill Gates's usual practice, there might be a few people who welcome Bill Gates's challenge against patent right on invisible innovation. It might be possible that it will become one of the biggest trials in the front half of 21st Century. If Priceline cannot afford to have a long and big trail, the law of jungle might decide its judgment.
