Court Blocks Microsoft's Chimney in Longhorn

Microsoft is battling a patent infringement lawsuit brought by Alacritech, Inc. over the use of a TCP-offload technology set for inclusion on Longhorn, Microsoft's new operating system. A preliminary injunction issued Tuesday against Microsoft could be serious for the company's health because if the injunction holds, Microsoft developers may not be able to touch the technology until the suit is over.

Kirkland & Ellis' partner Jeffery Norman commented on the legal future for the software conglomerate. "They could settle and just pay these guys and that would end it," he said. "Beyond that, any other option would be at least six months to a year."

This article appeared in its entirety in the April 14, 2005 edition of eWeek.com.