Microsoft joins ranks of Jpeg pariahs

Forgent Networks has filed suit against Microsoft accusing the software giant of infringing one of its graphics compression patents.

The patent concerns the way in which the Jpeg file format compresses digital images. Jpeg is best known for its use in .jpg files and is deployed in applications ranging from web browsers to digital cameras.

Forgent has generated more than $100m from licensing the technology to 35 different companies including Sony.

The firm is pursuing legal action against another 44 companies in addition to Microsoft. Litigation has been under way in a court in Texas against Apple, Dell, Google and HP.

The case against Microsoft is likely to be merged with the pending cases, a spokeswoman for Forgent told vnunet.com.

Microsoft and Forgent have been in licence negotiations for some time, but have failed to reach an agreement.

Microsoft filed a lawsuit on 15 April 2005 claming that the Jpeg patent is invalid, and suggesting that Forgent fraudulently obtained the patent by failing to disclose 'prior art'.

Prior art is a legal term indicating that the patent holder was not the first to invent the technology covered by the patent. The vast majority of disputed technology patents are invalidated because of prior art.

Microsoft's complaint also alleges that Forgent engaged in deceptive behaviour after failing to disclose the applicability of its compression patent when it participated in the adoption of the Jpeg standard, despite calls to do so.

This latest news is an unwelcome addition to Microsoft's legal battles. Despite settling expensive high-profile legal battles with Novell and Gateway, actions by a smaller company this month threaten to disrupt Longhorn sales.