Thar?s Gold in Them Thar Patents  Thar?s Gold in Them Thar
Patents  Why it pays to protect patent portfolios  THANKS TO THE
CURRENT RECESSION and ensuing financial crises, higher ed
leaders are looking where they have not looked before for the
money needed to fulfill their missions. More and more
institutions are discovering gold, sometimes lots of it, in
their patent portfolios. Some examples:  ? 1999: the University
of California and Eolas Technologies filed a patent infringement
lawsuit against Microsoft. In 2003, the case went to trial, and
the jury awarded UC and Eolas $520 million. In 2005, Microsoft
appealed the decision, and the Court of Appeals for the federal
circuit sent it back to district court to be retried. In August
2007 the parties settled the claim for an undisclosed amount.  ?
1999: The University of California filed a patent infringement
lawsuit against Genentech. The case resulted in a $200 million
settlement for UC.  ? 2002: Cornell University filed a patent
infringement lawsuit against