Microsoft Foresees More Suits in Japan

(Tokyo) legal battle between Microsoft and the Japanese anti-monopoly authorities may end next year might lead other patent infringement lawsuits or complaints, the United States of a software company executives said , Thursday.

Any such action would be the only apply for a patent in Japan, and Japans in 2004 or before, and will not affect the patent to the United States, Microsoft senior vice president Brad Smith said the visit Tokyo.

Fair Trade Commission survey, the countrys anti-monopoly bodies, and Microsoft have been struggling since 2004 more controversial provisions of the license agreement.

The provision to prevent companies sue Microsoft for patent and copyright infringement if they suspect their own software technology has ended in the Windows operating system.

Microsoft, based in Redmond, Wash., has repeatedly said that the clause is lawful. The first to abandon it in 2004.

An official of the Commission said it suspected illegal clause helps Microsoft for patent infringement. Hearings have been held in Tokyo to seek the Committees and Microsofts position. Smith said that the decision by the committee is expected in 2008.

Which has so far prevented the company of infringement complaints against Microsoft, said Smith, Microsofts general counsel, responsible for overseeing the policy, intellectual property and competition issues.

"Maybe they will have some new capabilities to improve their demands," including the possibility of lawsuits, Microsoft and computer maker, if the Commission to reject Microsofts view, he said.

Commission officials also could not identify any patents have been violated by Microsoft, is still unclear what the committee may decide.

Several Japanese electronics makers have complained about suspected infringements since December 2000.

Major Japanese manufacturers partner with Microsoft, including Sony Corp., Toshiba Corp. and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd., Panasonic brand name products.

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