Forgent Networks sues Microsoft

 wholly owned subsidiary, Compression Labs, has filed a lawsuit against

for infringement of United States Patent No. 4,698,672 (the '672 Patent) in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division.

On April 15, 2005, Microsoft filed a complaint in the US District Court for the Northern District of California against Forgent seeking a declaratory judgment of noninfringement, invalidity and unenforceability of the '672 Patent.

"The '672 Patent is valid, enforceable and infringed by Microsoft," said Richard Snyder, chairman and CEO of Forgent.

"It's unfortunate that, despite Microsoft's recent inquiries about licensing the patent, they chose to file a lawsuit, leaving us no alternative but to assert infringement claims against it."

The '672 Patent relates to digital image compression, and fields of use include digital still image devices used to compress, store, manipulate, print or transmit digital still images such as digital cameras, personal digital assistants, cellular telephones, printers, scanners, and certain software applications.

Since its inception three years ago, Forgent's intellectual property program has generated more than $100 million from licensing the '672 Patent to more than 35 different companies in Asia, Europe and the US.

The company's patent portfolio includes the combined inventions of Compression Labs, VTEL Corporation, and Forgent Networks.