Barnes & Noble's "patent misuse" complaint against Microsoft stymied by ITC

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Barnes & Noble NOOK Tablet

Barnes & Noble NOOK Tablet

The International Trade Commission has thrown a wrench into Barnes & Noble's plans to take down Microsoft, as it has apparently thrown the book seller's patent misuse complaint out before it even went to trial. Barnes & Noble had filed a complaint last year that not only questioned the validity of Microsoft's patents, but took issue with the way that Microsoft is forcing Android device makers into patent licensing agreements.

The trial is due to start next Monday, February 6, and will be focused on the remaining issues between the companies, such as the validity of the patents that Microsoft is using to pressure manufacturers into licensing agreements with. But, the court has apparently found no wrongdoing in Microsoft's practice to require device makers to license its patents if they use them in their Android-powered smartphones and tablets. [via FOSS Patents]