Federal appeals court orders new trial in Microsoft patent infringement suit News
Federal appeals court orders new trial in Microsoft patent infringement suit

[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.

THIS DAY @ LAW

International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism

November 9 is the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism [UNITED factsheet]. On November 9, 1924, American gay activist Henry Gerber and several associates formed the Society for Human Rights, the first gay rights organization in the United States. The Society received a charter from the State of Illinois in December but was disbanded in July 1925 after a police raid which led to Gerber's arrest and trial (albeit not conviction). Pay a virtual visit to Henry Gerber House, now a registered Chicago landmark.

Supreme Court strikes down Massachusetts anti-draft law

On November 9, 1970, the Supreme Court voted 6-3 in Massachusetts v. Laird not to hear the case of the state's anti-draft law. Massachusetts had passed a law, which allowed its citizens to decline to fight in any undeclared war, even if the person was drafted. The law was passed in opposition to the draft and the war in Vietnam. The First Circuit found the war constitutional and thus struck down the law.