Yahoo tells Facebook of 16 more patents it could lump into suit

From CNET News.com: Yahoo and Facebook are officially on the outs. But things could get worse before they get better, according to a document Facebook filed yesterday with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Facebook filed an amended S-1 registration statement with the SEC, noting that Yahoo late last month sent the social network a letter informing it that it holds 16 patents related to open-source technology that could become another pawn in the companies' ongoing legal struggle.

"We received a letter dated April 23, 2012 from Yahoo indicating that they believe 16 patents they claim to hold 'may be relevant' to open source technology they allege is being used in our data centers and servers," Facebook wrote in its amended S-1. "Yahoo has not threatened or initiated litigation with respect to matters described in this letter but it may do so in the future."

CNET sister site ZDNet obtained a copy of the letter, which asked Facebook to discuss the matter with Yahoo on or before April 26. It's not clear if the companies ever met to discuss the patents, though Facebook did tell ZDNet in a statement yesterday that if new patent claims are brought against it, the social network will defend itself.

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