In settling a number of lawsuits, Microsoft is trying to paint itself as a better corporate citizen and to minimize the costs and distractions of its seemingly endless legal battles.
Since last year, Microsoft has said it wants to settle antitrust lawsuits if it can do so on what it sees as reasonable terms. More recently, the company has also settled a number of high-profile patent infringement cases, including claims by InterTrust, AT&T and Immersion.
In adopting a less confrontational posture, Microsoft might appear to run the risk of becoming a corporate pinata stuffed with nearly $60 billion, with a long line of litigious competitors waiting to take a whack. Already about 30 patent lawsuits are pending against the company, as well as a score of antitrust cases filed by governments, competitors and private class-action attorneys.
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