By Graeme Wearden, 20 May 2005 12:10
NEWS Some of the world's largest IT firms are on a collision course with the Australian government's scientific research arm over a patent for wireless local area networks.
Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) was awarded the patent in 1996, which it claims relates to technologies used in several of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' wireless standards.
In an announcement on Wednesday, CSIRO said Apple, Dell, HP, Intel, Microsoft and Netgear had initiated legal action to try and get this patent overturned. CSIRO vowed to fight the action, and claimed the technology covered by its patent is "now a standard feature of most notebook computers and many other devices".
Dr Geoff Garrett, chief executive of CSIRO, said: "As part of our business we create high quality intellectual property, and we are prepared to defend it."
"We actively encourage the utilisation of the results of research in industry and communities, both nationally and globally, and any royalty income will be reinvested in further research."
CSIRO was not immediately available for comment but in a speech late last year Dr Alex Zelinsky, director of CSIRO ICT Centre, said the organisation was committed to reaping the commercial benefits of its work in the wireless space.
"Back in 1989 a small group of guys started work on wireless LANs, at a time when most people would have been happy just to get their computers hooked up to a printer over a network," Zelinsky said.
"Shortly after that, CSIRO lodged some basic patents in that area and then an offer came to start a company, which CSIRO chose not to participate in but did license its technology. CSIRO missed out on that opportunity and things went on. Interestingly, the basic patent stayed with CSIRO and [it] is now negotiating with a number of vendors to enforce that patent - a very valuable piece of intellectual property."
Graeme Wearden writes for ZDNet UK
Comments
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1. Carl Maycock
Er... Maybe I'm misguided in thinking this but If the they own the patent legally then what on earth are MS and the rest of them going to argue in court to get the patent overturned ? Surely if any of the companies in question owned the patent then they would also take steps to raise revenue from it. Or is it because there's no chance of cross licensing...
2. Knut Boehnert
Clearly this is not what patents were intended for - so there is necessarily action by the big names to put the world right.
After all how can it be that some small upshoot comes and claims to have patents to litigate if everyone knows that only big corporations are allowed to have them to keep exactly these small upshoots out of business.
Add to this that it isn't even an US American government agency but some foreigners and it is clear that something has gone really haywire in the world of patents.
Something that must be fought with toes and nails to be put right.
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Above should be read from a satirical point of view.
Personally I am glad to see that the big names have to take a dose of their own bitter medicine.