And if you were running an IP department you`d want to make sure contracts were well defined. We can agree that at least on the surface, this one isn`t. Is the INTC IP a ``Product``? What`s the corret definition of a product? - How can they lay claim to the 336 being a product of theirs, prior to any licensing agreements?...

Looking at this in a different way - Company A has licensed with Microsoft to recognize MS software elements it used in the development of it`s product. Well, Company B has had a close relationship with company A for some time, and uses software similar (also with elements of MS) to company B.

Unless company B is a wholly owned subsidiary of A, MS would be NUTS to wave off the A/B relationship and cover them both. There are no long term ties between A/B, maybe some contractual arrangements regarding products, but that relationship lasts as long as the demand for that product lasts. Then A/B can server the relationship. Does that mean B can take what it used the IP from A and move on? Where`s the protection?

That type of relationship can be negotiated by a simean. Talk about in like a lion and out by a lamb...

Don`t buy it.