Microsoft Sues Belkin Over U2 Patents
Microsoft sued peripheral manufacturer Belkin Tuesday, claiming the company infringed on patents surrounding a technology called U2. According to a complaint filed with the International Trade Commission, Belkin has been adding the technology that allows peripherals to automatically determine if they need a USB or PS/2 connection while refusing to enter into talks with the Redmond company.
U2 was first publicly released in March as part of a broader effort to make Microsoft innovations more widely available. Other manufacturers such as Targus and Fellowes have already licensed U2, and Microsoft says Belkin's actions unfairly hurt those companies. While Microsoft is seeking no financial compensation, it wants Belkin products with U2 included removed from the US market.