Google Sued Over Patent Infringement

Reuters reports that Google are being sued over the technology it uses in it's Search Algorithm. Boston based Northeastern University and Jarg Corp are basically saying that they patented the search tools a year before Google was incorporated in 1998. Google are however saying that the case is without merit

Google derives 99% of its revenue from online advertising (Adwords and Adsense), which of course is delivered in response to the keyword searches that Google performs to find relevant website's.

"The suit alleges that Google has never obtained a legal opinion on whether the company infringes on the '593 patent. It seeks a jury trial and an injunction against further infringement of the search patent, damages, royalty payments.

The case centers on U.S. patent No. 5,694,593, entitled "Distributed Computer Database System and Method," which was invented by Dr. Kenneth Baclawski, an associate professor in Northeastern's computer science department."

It must be stated that this is not an attempt to put Google out of business, but seems to be an argument about intellectual property.

It will no doubt be sometime before the case is heard and decided.


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