[JURIST] A federal judge Monday overturned a $1.52 billion jury decision [verdict form, PDF; JURIST report] against Microsoft awarded after the jury found that Microsoft violated two digital music patents held by Alcatel-Lucent [corporate website]. The patents govern technology that converts audio input into MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3, more commonly known as MP3, which Microsoft has incorporated into several variants of its Windows Media Player [product website]. US District Judge Rudi Brewster ruled [PDF text] Monday that the "verdict was against the clear weight of the evidence" and that one of patents at the center of the litigation was not infringed.

A spokesperson for Alcatel-Lucent said Monday that the company will appeal the ruling. Bloomberg has more.