Eolas Technologies Inc. is talking with members of the Linux and open-source community about the use of its Web browser patent, which is at the heart of its high-profile infringement case against Microsoft Corp., the company"s founder said on Wednesday. "We"re in discussions with major players in Linux world and working on plan to resolve "906 patent issue with entire Linux community," Eolas Founder Michael Doyle told eWEEK.com, referring in short hand to the full patent"s number. "The solution will be supportive of open-source community." Doyle declined to provide further details about the companies or individuals involved in the discussions or what exactly would be covered in any agreement or partnership with Linux players. But if all goes well, he said, an announcement could come within the next month or two.
Doyle, in past interviews with eWEEK.com, has said that he is pursuing licensing agreement for the use of the technology behind the patent. The patent, for which Chicago-based Eolas holds a license from the University of California, covers a method for embedding and invoking interactive applications such as applets and plug-ins from a Web browser. Doyle"s disclosure comes the same day that his company received a favorable final judgment in its patent infringement case against Microsoft. A federal judge on Wednesday let stand an August jury verdict awarding Eolas $521 million in royalties despite Microsoft"s request for a stay pending the outcome of a United States Patent and Trademark Office reexamination of the patent"s validity.