Microsoft has resolved litigation with a former software engineer who claimed ownership of patents used in its Xbox software. This marks the end of a significant legal battle between the tech giant and its ex-employee over intellectual property rights.
Xbox Ex-Engineer Lawsuit : Settlement Reached
Notices filed Wednesday indicated that the Redmond, Washington-based company settled disputes with ATM Khalid, an engineer who had two stints at Microsoft, from 1998 to 2006 and then from 2011 to 2015. Details of the settlement were not disclosed, as representatives for both Microsoft and Khalid did not return requests for comment regarding the terms of the agreement.
Initial Lawsuit
Khalid initially sued Microsoft in a Washington state court, asserting that he invented “the idea for a subscription that would allow a user to consume software without driving to the store to buy it.” He claimed this concept was tied to software cloud ideas he patented outside his employment with Microsoft. This initial lawsuit sparked the broader legal conflict, bringing the Xbox Ex-Engineer lawsuit to the forefront.
Microsoft’s Counteraction
In response, Microsoft removed Khalid’s lawsuit to a federal court in Washington, where the company filed its own suit in April. Microsoft contended that Khalid “abandoned his claim to ownership of those patent applications and testified in the state court action that he did not object to Microsoft having the patents.” Additionally, the tech giant sought a declaratory judgment asserting that its Xbox software did not infringe upon the patents in question.
Xbox Ex-Engineer Lawsuit : Patents Involved
The patents at the heart of the Xbox Ex-Engineer lawsuit are U.S. Patent Numbers 8,286,219; 8,782,637; and 10,846,118. These patents were central to the dispute, with both parties vying for recognition and control over the intellectual property.
Legal Representation
In both cases, Khalid and his company were represented by Mark P. Walters and Mitchell D. West of Lowe Graham Jones PLLC. Microsoft, on the other hand, was represented by Heidi B. Bradley, Erin Bernstein, and Gina Elliott of Bradley Bernstein Sands LLP, along with Irene Yang of Sidley Austin LLP.
Xbox Ex-Engineer Lawsuit : Conclusion
The resolution of the Xbox Ex-Engineer lawsuit brings closure to a complex legal battle over patent ownership and intellectual property rights. As Microsoft continues to innovate with its Xbox software, the settlement with ATM Khalid removes a significant legal hurdle, allowing both parties to move forward.
