Blog

Microsoft v Tom Tom Settlement

  

  

 delicious  

  

I just read a great Mass High Tech article this morning outlining the recent settlement in the Microsoft – Tom Tom IP infringement case.  Written by Holland & Knight attorney Jeff Seul, the article outlines the fact that the patents at issue were for open source software, and that Tom Tom quickly settled the case.  Every high tech C –level executive should read this article.

I have been talking about the risks inherent with open source code for years, and my comments were often met with skepticism.  When I relayed my theory to a high level technology insurance underwriter at a well known insurance company, I think that he thought that I was trying to incite hysteria!  The bottom line is that open source code is still licensed one way or another, i.e. GNU General Public License, and risks to step in IP infringement exist.  Yet another argument for Intellectual Property Insurance.