Microsoft Counters Lucent Suit in Patent Case

Microsoft filed a countersuit against Lucent Technologies, a telecommunications equipment provider, late Monday as part of an ongoing legal battle between the two companies regarding intellectual property patents, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Microsoft wants a judge to dismiss Lucent’s claims that the software giant infringed on a Lucent patent related to video decoding technology used in Microsoft’s Xbox 360 gaming console, according to the Journal.

A previous version of the Xbox 360 did use the technology at issue and it was legitimately licensed, but the newer version of the console was not covered by that license, the Journal reports.

Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft claims the patent at issue was not valid at the time, and also that Lucent has infringed on a number of Microsoft patents, according to the Journal.

“Microsoft stands behind our intellectual property, our customers and our partners,” said Tom Burt, Microsoft’s deputy general counsel, according to the Journal. “Rather than engage in meaningful licensing negotiations, Lucent continues to choose to litigate against Microsoft and our customers.”

The Journal’s request for comments from Lucent was denied.

Lucent is currently in the process of being acquired by Alcatel.

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