Microsoft Claims Patent Holder Got A Job At Microsoft To Get Info Used In Patent Lawsuits

from the patent-espionage dept

We see all sorts of strange patent-related lawsuits around here, but this one probably qualifies for the most extreme attempt by a patent holder to come up with info for the sake of a patent lawsuit. Apparently (and this is according to Microsoft), Miki Mullor, CEO of a company called Ancora Technologies, applied for a job at Microsoft while still working for Ancora. He got the job, and then used the job to download all sorts of info unrelated to his job -- but which was helpful in allowing Ancora to sue a bunch of companies, including Dell, HP and Toshiba claiming that their use of Microsoft anti-piracy technology violated Ancora's patents on anti-piracy technology. We've seen plenty of questionable patent lawsuits... and lots of stories about corporate espionage, but not many that combined both topics. Update on 11/17/2009: The company informs us that the companies have settled.
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Filed Under: anti-piracy, corporate espionage, miki mullor, patents
Companies: ancora, microsoft


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  • identicon
    Norm, 2 Feb 2009 @ 5:40am

    Why don't they get with the times?

    You would think Ancora would embrace the free exposure they get from the distribution of their software/technology.

    Geez some folks still can't get past that old business model.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    elduderino, 2 Feb 2009 @ 6:13am

    illegal?

    corporate espionage? is this somehow illegal?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 2 Feb 2009 @ 7:55am

    Sounds like...

    they need to prune their HR department!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    d0n0vAn, 2 Feb 2009 @ 8:20am

    Ancora Technologies

    Well, I found Ancora Tech's website and I read his statement regarding the case. It appears that he holds a patent, but never actually did anything with said patent. According to the website there are two employees working at Ancora Tech: the founder and a president. Also from the website, Miki Mullor, founder and CEO holds an LL.B degree from a private university and is former Israeli Military Intelligence.

    So, I see two guys. One is a would-be lawyer and a spy. THAT guy invents something he can't sell, then when he is broke and needs to support his family, then THAT guy gets hired by the largest software manufacturer in the world and spied on that corporation, stole documents unrelated to his job before filing his own patent lawsuit.

    Sounds fishy to me. I predict he wins.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Lucretious, 2 Feb 2009 @ 9:54am

      Re: Ancora Technologies

      Miki Mullor, founder and CEO holds an LL.B degree from a private university and is former Israeli Military Intelligence.


      so, he's attempting to make cash without any regard to the ethical ramifications.

      way to play down those Jewish stereotypes Mr. Mullor.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 2 Feb 2009 @ 10:09am

        Re: Re: Ancora Technologies

        way to play down those Jewish stereotypes Mr. Mullor.

        You're the first one to say anything about "Jews", troll.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Norm, 2 Feb 2009 @ 8:28am

    ::Sounds fishy to me. I predict he wins.::


    LOL LOL LOL LOL

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Neo, 2 Feb 2009 @ 8:39am

    A new form of pre-trial "discovery"

    Some small companies believe that it is better to keep lots of secrets rather than pay lawyers to protect patents. This solves the problem on the other end of things .. who is hiding that fact that they are violating your patents.

    I have to ask .. did Microsoft fire him ?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Mr. Smith, 2 Feb 2009 @ 8:57am

    > I have to ask ... did Microsoft fire him ?

    No he's been transferred to their legal department.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    mazhar, 2 Feb 2009 @ 10:59am

    interesting

    it seems interesting about information access in microsoft, if information didnot relate his job how he manage to download. microsoft need to check access polices in its network

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 2 Feb 2009 @ 6:07pm

    Wow

    Wow, and he thinks it is ok, or that no one would catch on ...

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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