Small company makes big claims on XML patents

[mandy]

A small software developer plans to seek royalties from companies that use XML, the latest example of patent claims embroiling the tech industry.

The ramifications of such a licensing request could be vast. XML has become a widely used method for storing and sharing information in many forms, from purchase orders to information in Web pages.

Most software companies use XML in some way, as do individual developers and corporate customers.

full article: http://news.zdnet.com/2100-3513_22-5905949.html

[bargainbloodhound]

This reminds me a lot of the time Unisys decided that all web sites using .gif images should pay it a $5,000 licensing fee.  That patent infringement lawsuit never did go anywhere. (the .gif controversy http://www.internetnews.com/dev-news/art.../10_191811 and http://slashdot.org/articles/99/08/29/0722236.shtml )

There are so many web sites using XML (including this forum) that I really don't see this company being able to do much to force sites/developers to pay a licensing fee even if its claims are valid...I doubt that it has deep enough pockets to be able to pay the lawyers bills that would be necessary in order to make everyone to pay a licensing fee.