http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/060228/0111451.html

In case you haven't followed this story, Forgent Networks is claiming a patent on the JPEG file format and has filed lawsuits against 31 different companies seeking damages and licensing fees. They're also suing a bunch of companies about a video playback patent.

Recently the non-profit Public Patent Foundation got the patent office to agree to re-examine their claim:

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/060202/forgent_patent_dispute.html?.v=2

The New York-based not-for-profit called Forgent's practice of reaping millions of dollars from companies who use the JPEG format a "campaign of harassment" that is causing "significant public harm by threatening the JPEG standard on which the public relies."

"We are extremely pleased with the Patent Office's decision to grant our request to re-examine the patent Forgent Networks is using to threaten the JPEG standard," said Dan Ravicher, the group's executive director.

Wow. I wasn't aware of this one.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/060317/patent_trolling.html?.v=1

While most technology companies make money by developing software, building hardware or providing services, Forgent Networks Inc. has taken a different route: It produces threats and lawsuits that try to cash in on ideas.

Forgent and other companies with similar strategies -- often called "patent trolling" by critics -- amass intellectual property portfolios and file suits against other businesses, accusing them of infringement.

With a skeleton crew of 30 employees and the help of a law firm, Forgent has built a business out of suing -- or threatening to sue -- companies, even though it offers no related products and does no development of the technology itself.

I remember something like this. I can't remember if it was jpg or gif format.

The company that owned the patents to the graphics format was saying they would sue anyone using the format without paying for a license to use the format. These would encompass any businesses and people using the graphics format wheter personal or for business.

The article also went on to state that you do have a right, as the software programs like Adobe Photoshop have already paid for the right to use the format. I think this was like 6-7 years ago.

Can't believe this issue ispopping back up.