[JURIST] The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit [official website] Wednesday partially reversed a lower court decision that exposed Microsoft [corporate website] to $565 million in damages for patent infringement. The lower court had found that Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser infringed on technology developed by Eolas Technologies and the University of California, but in its opinion [PDF text] Wednesday, the appeals court said that the court ignored Microsoft's arguments on the invalidity and unenforceability of Eolas' patent in browser technology. The appeals court vacated the district court decision and ordered a new trial. In a press release [text], Microsoft called Wednesday's decision "a clear victory not only for Microsoft, but for Internet users as well." CNET News has more.