TomTom and Microsoft are friends again

This is good news, although probably not for the lawyers involved who may have been getting ready for a long running case. Microsoft and TomTom (who make the in-car navigation devices that we all seem to be needing these days) have come to a resolution over the patent infringement cases raised recently.

Reading the Microsoft PressPass post you come away with the distinct impression that TomTom were in the wrong and Microsoft have helped them see the error of their ways. But that’s the spin I guess. Who’s to know what the full intricacies were, I’m just glad to see that Microsoft can put its attention back on making stuff better, as opposed to stopping other people use their stuff.

Here’s part of what the Microsoft IP lawyer said:

We were able to work with TomTom to develop a patent agreement that addresses their needs and ours in a pragmatic way. When addressing IP infringement issues, there are two possible paths: securing patent coverage or not using the technology at issue. Through this agreement, TomTom is choosing a combination of both paths to meet the unique needs of its business, and we are glad to help them do so.