The story about Microsoft and Salesforce.com’s patent dispute is far from over for the enterprise market.
According to eWeek, the settlement may signal coming turf battles. SaaS companies are developing technologies that overlap with existing on-premise vendors. That may create more patent disputes like the one between Microsoft and Salesforce.com.
Microsoft charged that Salesforce.com violated nine of its patents. In June, Salesforce.com filed its own lawsuit against Microsoft, hiring famed attorney David Boies.
It looked like it would be an epic court battle. But it was not. Salesforce.com settled the suits, agreeing to pay Microsoft an undisclosed amount for rights to use its patents.
SaaS companies should take note. The enterprise territory is a place with the footprints of much bigger vendors who will fight for their turf.
The difference may be the soft economy. Companies may have been more aggressive in healthier times. Now it’s a matter of just keeping the peace.
It’s also a sign that Microsoft is starting to cash in on its patent portfolio.
So, that leads to the next question:
What company is Microsoft targeting next?
