This lawsuit over a claimed patent infringement may have significant impact on the future of web design and the Internet as we know it. The W3C has convened a committee to look into whether or not changes to the underlying structure of HTML/XHTML code, depending on whether the initial verdict in August for Eolas is upheld or overturned on appeal.

What's your take on the impact of this case? Who's the villain in this case as far as the impact to the Internet community is concerned: Microsoft, Eolas, or ???

What impact will a particular final judgment (for Eolas or for Microsoft) have on you and your Internet-related business? Please post your predictions on the future of website coding and functionality if either Eolas or Microsoft has their way in this case!