InterTrust Technologies Corp. has stopped selling software and slashed its work force from 360 to 40. But it could still have an impact on the likes of mammoth Microsoft Corp. The small Silicon Valley company, which once negotiated to build its copyright-protection software into Microsoft’s Windows operating system, accuses the software firm of violating 11 patents in a multitude of ways. InterTrust officials have discussed damages figures in the billions of dollars and don’t rule out seeking injunctions against Windows and other Microsoft products. "We have no desire to hurt the economy or hurt the country," says Victor Shear, InterTrust’s chairman and founder. But he adds: "Patent is the little spot that won’t rub out."
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