Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Likewise Software Target Of Patent Suit

Bellevue-based Likewise Software, a developer of enterprise software used to connect Linux, Unix, and Mac machines to Microsoft Active Directory, has been named in a patent infringement suit from California's Quest Software. Quest said late Friday evening that it has sued Likewise, along with fellow competitor Centrify Corp., over a patent covering extension of Windows Group Policy into Unix, Linux, Mac, and other non-Windows computer systems. Quest claims that both Likewise and Centrify are infringing on U.S. Patent No. 7,617,501, and is seeking seeking damages and injunctive relief. Centrify filed a countersuit on Monday claiing Quest had violated one of its own patents; Likewise has yet to have responded to the announcement of the lawsuit.