Blackboard lose another round

Also from the Chronicle, in the latest preliminary ruling from the US patent office Blackboard has lost again. Desire2Learn are quietly pleased.

"Last week the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a preliminary ruling rejecting all 57 claims in a software patent that Blackboard Inc. used to successfully sue rival Desire2Learn for infringement. But the long-running patent battle between the two providers of course-management software is far from over, and the re-examination process could drag on for years because of the many chances that Blackboard has to appeal."

This one has a long way to run yet but its pleasing to see another step in the right direction.