Microsoft files Lawsuit on Netherlands-based firm TomTom

(image found on Straits Times)
Yesterday, Microsoft launched a lawsuit against the Netherlands based firm, Tom Tom for infringing on the software giant's patented technology.

Microsoft filed complaints against TomTom in US district court and with the International Trade Commission, according to Horacio Gutierrez, deputy general counsel of intellectual property and licensing at Microsoft.

'We have taken this action after attempting for more than a year to engage in licensing discussions with TomTom,' Mr Gutierrez said.

'In situations such as this, when a reasonable business agreement cannot be reached, we have no choice but to pursue legal action to protect our innovations and our partners who license them.' A spokesman in TomTom's US office declined to comment, telling AFP that it is company policy not to discuss legal matters.

Patents involved in the case relate to vehicle navigation technology and computer software that Microsoft has licensed to other firms, according to Gutierrez.

TomTom bills itself as the world's leading 'navigation solutions provider.' TomTom devices such as its popular GO guide drivers by using satellite tracking of vehicles along with a vast database built with the help of digital map firm TeleAtlas, which it bought in 2008.

Last month, TomTom launched GO 740 Live services that stream real-time traffic updates, weather, and local fuel prices to navigation devices that typically mount on dashboards.

Live also enables people to search the Internet using Google.

'TomTom is a highly respected and important company,' Mr Gutierrez said. 'We remain open to quickly resolving this situation with them through an IP licensing agreement.'

Wow, I hope they can figure out something in arbitration before it goes to court or this could be a costly case for Tom Tom.

Microsoft sues PND vendor over FAT filesystem (linuxdevices.com)
Microsoft sues TomTom: All your GPS logics belong to us (TG Dailey)
Microsoft sues TomTom (Straits Times)