A jury has ordered Microsoft to cough up $1.5 billion in a case brought by Alcatel-Lucent alleging Windows infringes on patents related to MP3 audio technology, opening the door for Alcatel-Lucent to go after other companies that use the widespread MP3 technology. The MP3 technology was developed by Fraunhofer and AT&T’s Bell Labs, which became part of Lucent when it was spun off in 1996. Alcatel and Lucent merged last year, becoming Alcatel-Lucent.

Microsoft hit with $1.5 billion patent verdict | CNET News.com