Microsoft Accuses TomTom of Patent Infringement

From X-bit Labs: Microsoft this week filed a patent infringement action against TomTom and accused the leading maker of GPS navigators of patent infringements. The software giant said that it attempted to negotiate with TomTom for a year before taking it to court.

“Microsoft has filed an action today in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington and in the International Trade Commission (ITC), against TomTom NV and TomTom Inc. for infringement of Microsoft patents. We have taken this action after attempting for more than a year to engage in licensing discussions with TomTom,” said Horacio Gutierrez, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel of intellectual property and licensing at Microsoft.

TomTom spokesperson Taco Titulare told Dow Jones Newswires Thursday that TomTom rejects the Microsoft claims and that the firm will "vigorous defend" itself, without elaborating.

Patents involved in this case relate to innovations in car navigation technology and other computing functionality and have been licensed by many others, according to Microsoft. In its complaint filed in the U.S. court, Microsoft alleges it first told TomTom in June 2008 that it was infringing on eight of its patents. Microsoft is seeking unspecified damages and a permanent injunction.

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