Contemplating Freedom

Honestly I didn't read quite into the ruling but it seems Alcatel-Lucent lost a key part in against Microsoft's U.S trade complaint over patents for a system that integrates telephones and computers for voice calls, email and video conferencing. Originally Lucent had filed and won a patent infrigement against Microsoft before and then, Microsoft came back with retort later that a judge overturned. Now, Microsoft's current file against Alcatel-Lucent has succeeded, as a judge at the US International Trade Commission has determined that Alcatel-Lucent has infringed and even made a bolder move:

[Judge Paul] Luckern recommended an exclusion order "barring entry into the United States of infringing unified communication systems, products used with such systems and components," according to an excerpt posted on the ITC's Web site. The judge's reasoning is not yet public, and his determination will be reviewed by the six-member ITC in Washington, D.C.

It seems a bit stringent to completely wipe out a businesses trade of a questionable patent as it is. As we have been seeing lately, the patent system has become more and more of a battleground for big names and even bigger lawyers. And sadly, Microsoft is also using the popular loophole in patent law here explained by TechDirt's Mike Masnick.

Mainly, I am just worried about how out of hand Mr. Jefferson's patent system is becoming. Innovation may come to a stand still even if its moving faster than ever underground.