ActiveX control Legal issue

More http://www.ktb.net/~pacranch/activex_popup.htm

Over the next several months, virtually all webpages that use any form of ActiveX or plugins must be redone to satisfy the rulings that have come out of the Eolas lawsuit. How browsers interact and display active content and how webpages are coded will both be affected. Some pages, even entire sites will stop functioning correctly. Some browsers will be withdrawn or rewritten.

At the heart of the Eolas lawsuit and rulings is the basic patent (US Patent #5,838,906) which suggest a simple method of embedding software directly in HTML code so that interactive elements would be part of a page, as a picture is part of a page. Webdevelopers do this via ActiveX and plugins. In the August 2003 ruling, the jury found that most browsers (Internet Explorer specifically) and the EMBED, OBJECT and APPLET tags infringed on Eolas' patent and used its core idea. Microsoft was ordered to pay $521 Million to Eolas. Eolas is also seeking an extra $110 Million in interest charges. Other browsers and webdevelopers have not been enjoined, but with Internet Explorer's 96% market share, Microsoft represents virtually all the infringers.

More http://www.ktb.net/~pacranch/activex_popup.htm

__________________
Videos to Watch and Video Publishing
Affiliate Program! Our Affiliate Program Pays 50.00% Business Support

Thanks, traffic producer - from what I understand there is a lot of legal stuff to wade through yet, what with the W3C getting involved, as well as several 'biggies' like Macro media. But I AM unclear on the timeframes and status of the appeals etc., so it doesn't hurt to be prepared.
We have had a discussion going in "Web Programming" about IE issues here: http://www.webproworld.com/viewtopic.php?t=12106

__________________
What I am is what I am, are you what you are, or what.
Eddie Brickel

From what I have seen, several entities have records they believe are sufficient to show prior art.
Ken