Is the Blackboard Patent Rejection a Victory for Online Education?
Is the Blackboard Patent Rejection a Victory for Online Education? Sunday August 2, 2009 After a long struggle, an appellate court has overturned a part of Blackboard’s patent for learning management software. In the past few years, Blackboard has legally pursued education companies offering similar products. eSchool News reports: “The case that started in early 2008 when Blackboard accused Desire2Learn of violating a patent on using a single login to access multiple online classes ended July 27 when a federal appeals court agreed with Desire2Learn in its charge that Blackboard’s patent was too broad… Some technology experts said Blackboard’s patent was too far-reaching and largely stifled competition in the LMS arena. The court’s decision against Blackboard could clear the way for other LMS companies who might have been reluctant to enter the market for fear of violating the Blackboard patent.” Hopefully the de
