US software developer Symantec has filed a lawsuit against Microsoft, claiming that the Redmond-based company has been misusing its technology. The lawsuit was filed on Thursday in a federal court in Seattle.
"Microsoft has deliberately and surreptitiously misappropriated Symantec's valuable data-storage technologies, misled and thereby convinced the United States government to issue patents to Microsoft based on technologies invented by Symantec, attempted unsuccessfully to persuade Symantec to forgive Microsoft' s misdeeds under the guise of expanding a business relationship, and ultimately built portions of its next generation operating system on this house of cards."
Furthermore, Symantec wants to block the release of Microsoft's Widows Vista until the the Court gives its verdict.
On the other hand, Microsoft says the accusations are “unfounded”and "will be shown to be without merit." The software giant said it had previously purchased intellectual property rights for all the technologies involved from Veritas, two years ago. Veritas was acquired by Symantec one year later, in 2005.
However, it seems Microsoft has something to worry about. The company admitted that it tried "to resolve these issues with Symantec " but didn't manage to reach an agreement.
With the development of Vista already years behind its original schedule, another delay would be a devastating blow for Microsoft, both in terms of money and public image. Garnet analysts already stated that the Vista would be further delayed. Also, Microsoft hoped the upcoming Vista release would improve the way US customers think about the company.
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seems like MS is stepping on everyone toes
