Halo’s multiplayer programming and the Microsoft Xbox 360′s online multi-player service Xbox Live infringed a pair of patents, according to PalTalk. Now Microsoft has settled out of court with the company. PalTalk was demanding $90 million in royalties for several games that the company alleged infringed their patents.
At the start of the case, it emerged that PalTalk had purchased the “Halo” patents from MPath for $200,000. MPath was “a pioneer in the online video industry in the area of real-time, multiplayer online games” according to a PalTalk lawyer.
Commentators have put the final “Halo lawsuit” payout as anywhere between $200,000 and $90 million. Microsoft said it was an “amicable” agreement, while PalTalk was described as “quite pleased” with the final deal.
It is, of course, very unlikely that this settlement will in any way effect current or future Halo games planned by Microsoft. Phew.
Out now | £50 | Halo 3 (available at Game.co.uk)
