LXer: Microsoft-led group to pay $450M for 882 Novell patents

LXer · 11-23-2010, 12:30 AM

Published at LXer:

CPTN Holdings LLC, a consortium of technology companies organized by Microsoft, is purchasing 882 Novell patents for $450 million cash, according to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing submitted Monday by Novell. The deal is part of the Attachmate acquisition of Novell, also announced Monday, and expected to close in the first quarter of next year. In the original announcement, Novell stated only that CPTN would acquire "certain intellectual property assets."

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rich_c · 11-23-2010, 04:24 AM

How much of a concern is this? Personally, I'm concerned enough to write to my Member of Parliament/European Parliament to express my concern that Microsoft might well use this to compete unfairly (i.e. demand license fees.) thereby ripping off both businesses and consumers alike.

rkski · 11-23-2010, 09:36 PM

Looks like M$ will end up being nothing but a patent troll.

Kenny_Strawn · 11-24-2010, 12:39 AM

Agreed and added Reputation to both of you.

Kenny_Strawn · 11-24-2010, 05:14 AM

We won't need to worry as much once this comes into place.

dv502 · 11-24-2010, 10:41 AM

We just have to hold our breath and see what the Beast ( i.e M$ ) is gonna do with the patents.

rich_c · 11-26-2010, 03:45 AM

Apparently, the patents in question don't relate to Novell's Unix 'intellectual property' but more the Wordperfect stuff they held. Some relief then!