The Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organization (CSIRO) has made a breakthrough in its long-running WLAN patent case, with PC-maker HP settling for an undisclosed sum.
The state-owned research agency has filed suit against some of the world's biggest IT and communications vendors, claiming ownership of key elements of the Wi-Fi standard.
HP is the first to come to an agreement. The case continues against Microsoft, Dell, Toshiba, Intel, Nintendo, Netgear, Belkin, D-Link, Asus, Buffalo Technology, 3com, Accton and SMC.
"We can confirm that CSIRO has reached a settlement with HP regarding the wireless patent case. There'll be no further comment at this time due to the confidentiality of ongoing negotiations," CSIRO spokesperson Huw Morgan told TelecomAsia.net.
The CSIRO argues that it is entitled to royalties from any company incorporating the 802.11 wireless standard into their products.
But tech vendors have claimed that the information in question was in the public domain before the body filed its patent application.