[ale] M$SQL

[kilpatms at mindspring.com (Sean Kilpatrick)]

This subject appears often in this group.
I am essentially ignorant of database development,
but some here might be interested in the Register's
story <http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/53/29419.html>
on a recent ruling by a Washington (state) Court of Appeals.
The court ruled in favor of Timeline (and against M$).

The Register's story quotes a press release from Timeline:

"Microsoft Vs. Timeline Final Judgment Affirms Timeline Patent
Rights; SQL Server Users Could Face `Staggering' Damages

"Business Editors

"BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 19, 2003--Timeline, Inc.
(OTCBB:TMLN) announced that the Superior Court of King County has
entered its Final Judgment in Microsoft Corporation vs. Timeline,
Inc. which confirms that the agreement between Microsoft (MSFT) and
Timeline contains substantial limitations on Microsoft's ability to
sublicense Timeline's patents.

"The judgment implements the previously announced ruling by the
Washington Court of Appeals. It confirms Microsoft's ability to
sublicense its patent license to its customers is limited. SQL Server
developers who create a new product by adding code in an "Infringing
Combination" (as defined below) must obtain their own patent license.
The exact language of the judgment and a definition of Infringing
Combination are included at the end of this release. A description
of the patented technology is available at www.tmln.com/press.htm." 
<rest snipped to preserve copyrights.>

Sean


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