A year ago we posted a Patent Infringement Update on this case; earlier this month the USPTO rejected all 57 claims in a course-management software patent that US-based Blackboard Inc. used to successfully sue its Canadian competitor, Desire2Learn. The most recent rejection relates to claims added during the re-examination process [copies of the documents are posted here].  Blackboard originally obtained the software patent in 2006, but the patent was criticized for its broad claims covering technology that had been used by educational institutions and others for years at the time of filing. The battle is likely to continue, as Blackboard has since filed a new patent, and is suing its rival again for infringement of the new patent.

Calgary – 11:00 MST