Microsoft Corp has bowed to Wang Laboratories Inc over its 1993 patent infringement lawsuit (CI No 2,338) by agreeing to invest $90m in the company and signing a multi-year technical, service and marketing alliance. Microsoft will buy $90m face amount of 4.5% convertible preferred stock due 2003 which would represent 10% of the enlarged equity on conversion. Wang is to grant Microsoft a licence for its portfolio of software and software-related patents, and its desktop imaging and object controls – subject of the patent infringement – will be included in future releases of Windows95 and Windows NT to bring improved document imaging and workflow management capabilities to Windows users. Wang’s image controls will also be included in Microsoft’s Visual Basic, and the two plan to work together to accelerate development of workflow automation software, and co-operate on work management application programming interfaces. The Wang technology will not be in the first release of Windows95, but will be included when the underlying desktop imaging and object control technology is set.Wang will also develop Windows NT versions of its imaging and workflow server family.
