Patent Central to Microsoft Case Invalidated. Thanks, Sodajerk. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has invalidated a claim to Web browser technology central to a case against Microsoft Corp., a move that could spare the software giant from paying more than half a billion dollars in damages, according to documents obtained on Friday. Last year, an Illinois jury delivered a $521 million verdict against Microsoft for infringing on technology developed by a privately held firm, Eolas Technologies Inc., and the University of California. [ActiveWin.com Headlines]

I have written about the Eolas patent before so I was glad to see the patent invalidated. I believe the previous art in the area was very substantial and should not be ignored. The major contribution of Eolas to the world remains in forcing the patent office to try and do a better job.