Microsoft, Alacritech Settle Dispute
Microsoft on Wednesday settled a lawsuit with Alacritech that claimed the software giant was going to implement the company's networking technology without permission. Under the terms of the agreement, Broadcom and Microsoft will be granted use of patents for a fee that was not disclosed, and the case would be dropped against Microsoft.
The technology is supposed to help increase network performance by moving the workload off of the CPU and onto a specifically designed chip created for such a purpose. Microsoft had entered into talks to use the technology in the 1990s, however nothing ever materialized.
In 2003, Microsoft debuted its own technology called "Chimney," which performed a similar task.
Alacritech filed suit against Microsoft in August 2004, followed by an injunction in April 2005 that prevented Redmond from using the technology in future products. Microsoft had planned to use it in Longhorn, as well as an update to Windows Server 2003.
The new agreement ensures the technology will make it into the two platforms; however, Microsoft would now have to compensate Alacritech for its use.
"Customers are looking for high performance, seamless and secure networking, and Microsoft's networking initiatives will advance the functionality and scalability of the Windows platform," said Jawad Khaki, vice president, Windows Networking and Devices, Microsoft.
"Today's agreement ensures Microsoft customers and partners will be able to realize improved application, server and network performance."