Microsoft and Alcatel-Lucent settle patent dispute

Microsoft and Alcatel-Lucent have settled a patent dispute after a jury verdict last year said Microsoft should pay Alcatel $70 million for infringement.

The companies did not reveal details of the deal, but Microsoft said in a statement that the settlement is “to the satisfaction of both parties”.

Microsoft was found to be infringement of the Day patent in its Outlook program, which lets someone add an appointment to a calendar by clicking on a calendar date and entering information in the field with the relevant date. The patent was initially awarded to a division of AT&T that was spun off as Lucent and was ultimately acquired by Alcatel.

In the order dismissing the case, the court said that Microsoft and Alcatel-Lucent will pay their own costs and attorneys fees.