Does Microsoft's settlement fever signal IP offensive?

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Cut off the Legal Expense

I can sympathise with Microsoft although on an infinitely smaller scale. I helped General Instrument into the early video game business as the sole software consultant. I had been referred to the gig by a salesman who was peddling paper to the firm. For six months he took 50% of my billings and then I struck out on my own with the firm. He sued the firm and they wanted me to bear the financial burden if I wanted the consulting contract. I sat all three lawyers in a room, (His, mine and the company's) and calmly listened to each outline an approach which would cost me a fortune in fees. I asked what they would settle for and within a nanosecond said "fine". You have never seen three more dissapointed faces in your life. Thank goodness General Instrument lent me the money and let me pay it back over years. The result was one of the three original video game families -- Intellivision.

The lesson both Microsoft and I learned is that a mediocre lawyer can bankrupt even a great techie so the rule is "whatever they ask for, give em". I wonder why technological innovation is crashing.

I also notice that New York State's top Attorney has effectively killed a large Insurance firm (Marsh and McLennon), caused 3000 layoffs and destroyed the state as a home for such companies because of a practice that everyone knew about for years.

Posted by: TomMariner   Posted on: 11/09/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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