Microsoft vs. Salesforce the court case

June 28, 2010

Microsoft vs. Salesforce the court case

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Packaged software king Microsoft and cloud computing prince Salesforce.com are duelling in US courts, with each accusing the other of violating its patented technology.

The legal battle comes as Microsoft strives to adapt to a trend toward programs being offered as services in the internet “cloud” instead of being installed and maintained on people’s computers.

Microsoft built its fortune selling software such as Office, Outlook, and Windows while San Francisco-based Salesforce has become a prospering poster child for cloud computing.

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Microsoft has introduced Azure, a cloud computing platform, offered on the internet.

Salesforce on Thursday filed a patent-infringement lawsuit against Microsoft in apparent retaliation for similar litigation that the US technology colossus filed against Salesforce in May.

“It’s a normal response,” said analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group in Silicon Valley. “Salesforce is trying to create some balance so there is reason for Microsoft to come to the table and negotiate.”

Microsoft’s legal filing accuses Salesforce of infringing on nine patents.

“Defendant’s infringement of the Microsoft patents-in-suit is willful and deliberate, entitling Microsoft to enhanced damages and reasonable attorney fees and costs,” the company said in court documents.