Harry&David sue IBM over WebSphere and Net Commerce software

Looks like IBM's schizophrenia over patents extends to selling patent lawsuits to its customers.

NetworkWorld noted: IBM is facing a $6 million patent-related lawsuit from Harry&David, an Internet retailer that was sued because it used an IBM e-commerce system that allegedly contained technology patented by two other companies.

IBM knew about a patent infringement issue with its products, but didn't tell Harry & David. NetworkWorld stated: The Oregon-based Harry&David, an IBM customer since 1991, purchased WebSphere and Net Commerce software to create an Internet-based catalog used to sell its products. IBM knew these products contained technology patented by Charles E. Hill & Associates as well as NCR, but failed to notify Harry & David or defend the company when it was ultimately sued by Hill, Harry & David alleged in a complaint filed on Feb. 26 in U.S. District Court in Oregon.

See also

letter of Drew Vinal,
President and CEO,
Thunderbird Technologies, Inc.,
Morrisville, NC 27560

opposing patent reform. Vinal's father worked for IBM.

see also
http://ipbiz.blogspot.com/2008/03/future-of-computing-at-ibm-trivial-or.html
http://ipbiz.blogspot.com/2008/02/ibms-kappos-on-patents-substance-or-pr.html