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.Filed Under: anti-piracy, corporate espionage, miki mullor, patents
Companies: ancora, microsoft
