I    N    T    E    L    L    E    C    T    U    A    L        P    R    O    P    E    R    T    Y SML is a party to an assignable patent non-assertion agreement protecting the beneficiary from enforcement of a broad category of Microsoft patents related to compensated superdistribution. In 2001, founders of SML developed technology to track freely distributed media files for the purpose of assigning revenue to sellers and resellers of such content. SML entered into the agreement with Microsoft Corporation in September of 2002 regarding ownership of intellectual property related to this technology. The general terms of the agreement are as follows: In exchange for the assignment of specific inventor's rights by SML co-founder John Beezer to Microsoft, Microsoft agreed not to assert any of its patent rights directed towards the technology. This protection is assignable with some limitations. The rights contained in the agreement allow full exploitation of the technology and apply worldwide and in perptuity The full patent non-assertion agreement may be viewed here. More information about the underlying technology is available here. A report published by Microsoft Research in 2006, which appears to be an early planning document related to the Zune platform, specifically describes plans to imitate the Weedshare superdsitribution model. (See page 2 for references to Weedshare.) SML management believes the technologies covered by this agreement are essential for flexible and efficient implementation of compensated superdistribution services. Please contact auction@sharedmedia.info to find out more or to place a bid. Minimum bid: $105,000 Return to Auction Home