Edupage, December 01, 2006

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Edupage is a service of EDUCAUSE, a nonprofit association
whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting
the intelligent use of information technology.
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TOP STORIES FOR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2006
  Legal Center Files Challenge to Blackboard Patent
  Dept. of Education Proposes Expanding IPEDS
  New Rules Require Storing E-Mail
  Yahoo Says No to Google Request for Information
  Manchester Plans Municipal Wi-Fi Network

LEGAL CENTER FILES CHALLENGE TO BLACKBOARD PATENT
A legal center has filed the first formal action against a Blackboard
patent that has caused considerable anxiety in the higher education
community. The patent covers certain aspects of learning management
systems, and Blackboard has filed an infringement lawsuit against rival
Desire2Learn. Many in higher education believe that the patent is too
broad, that it does not account for prior art, and that Blackboard will
use its patent power to stifle innovation. The new complaint, filed by
the Software Freedom Law Center, an open source advocacy group, seeks a
reexamination by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The center said
it has provided sufficient prior art to invalidate the patent.
Officials from Blackboard have repeatedly denied any intention of
pursuing patent litigation against the open source community, but they
have also refused to put such claims into writing. According to
Blackboard, the company welcomes the reexamination, saying its patent
will be shown to be valid and will be stronger after the review.
Chronicle of Higher Education, 1 December 2006 (sub. req'd)