MS, HP Prevail in Patent Infringement Case

A federal judge dismissed a patent infringement suit brought by E-Pass Technologies against Microsoft and HP last week, saying there was no infringement, and granting motions by the two companies to dismiss the case. E-Pass had accused Microsoft and HP of violating patents surrounding the storage of information on multiple credit cards on to one electronic card.

The suit accused Windows Mobile and HP devices of infringing on the patent, and was filed in 2002. Microsoft said it respects the patent rights of others, and was pleased with the results of the decision. Neither HP nor E-Pass technologies had publicly commented on the situation.