IQ Technologies Inc is seeking undisclosed damages from Microsoft Corp and other mouse manufacturers operating under licence from Microsoft: IQ contends the serial port mouse manufactured and sold by Microsoft infringes on a patent IQ has held since 1986 for the Smart Cable serial port connector; Microsoft obtained a patent in 1989 for its mouse, but IQ says that Microsoft knowingly infringed on a technique that enables the mouse to derive low-voltage power from the computer to run its internal circuitry; the claim is a response to a suit filed last month by Microsoft asking the court to rule that IQ’s patent is invalid and that Microsoft’s mouse does not infringe on it in any case; Microsoft has sold 6m mice which cost $50 each.
