Blackboard wins case

Just read on Slashdot and on "The NOSE: Information Technology in Higher Education" blog that Blackboard won their case against Desire2Learn. From "The Nose":

The jury found Desire2Learn guilty of patent infringement. Although Blackboard sought $17 million in damages, the jury awarded $3.1 million ($2.5 million for "lost profits" and $630,000 for "royalties").

This is one of those Patent Troll moves, but unfortunately this gives Blackboard some good precendence to continue litigation against other LMS players.

A Canadian article at TheRecord paints Blackboard as being uncooperative and unlikely to compromise or settle, although the judge will probably press the parties to come to a royalty agreement. From the article:

Desire2Learn has several options on the table, including appealing the verdict; continuing to push the U.S. patent office to reconsider Blackboard's patent; and developing a software workaround that does not use the technology in dispute.

Good luck Desire2Learn!