Symantec Sues to Block Microsoft Vista Release
Im a little weary already about Microsoft delaying the release of its next operating system, Vista. But now, Symantec is suing Microsoft over the incorporation of data manipulation software that is going to be built into Vista. It seems that Microsoft and Veritas had made a deal to include the software in Vista.
Then, Symantec, in a move that may end up killing the company, acquired Veritas. Now Symantec has realized that Vista is going to have some of its data manipulation software built into the next OS, which will essentially kill off another line of software for Symantec. The Veritas acquisition continues to be highlighted as one of the worst business decisions EVER.
From Reuters Here:
Symantec sues Microsoft in contract dispute Thu May 18, 11:57 PM ET
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Symantec Corp. sued software rival Microsoft Corp. on Thursday, accusing it of misappropriating trade secrets to develop its own competing features and products, including the next version of Windows.
The lawsuit filed in federal court in Seattle charges the world’s biggest software maker with misappropriating intellectual property and breach of contract related to a licensing deal with Veritas, which Symantec acquired last year.
It also seeks an injunction that would block the further development, sale or distribution of Vista — the already- delayed next version of Windows — and other products until all Symantec intellectual property is removed.
“Microsoft’s pervasive and continuing disregard of Symantec’s intellectual property and contract rights has irreparably harmed Symantec and constitutes trade secret misappropriation,” the complaint said.
Microsoft said in statement it worked hard to try to resolve the dispute and that it acted within its rights in the contract.
“We are confident that our actions are wholly consistent with the legal agreements between Veritas and Microsoft and that these claims will be shown to be without merit,” Microsoft said.
The dispute pits two of the biggest consumer software makers against each other and centers on a Symantec product called Volume Manager, which allows operating systems to store and manipulate large amounts of data.
Symantec only bought Veritas because it wanted another line of business that was outside of its AV products, which it fears will dry up when Vista comes out with AV built in. No wonder Symantec’s distraught when they find out that Vista is also taking away its Volume Manager software.
Lotsa Luck, SYMC. If your luck runs true since the acquisition of this turd of a company, you will lose your lawsuit and your stocks will continue to plummet. CEO John Thompson should have been fired over this debacle.
