All or nothing approach [LWN.net]

All or nothing approach

Posted Dec 18, 2006 20:42 UTC (Mon) by hingo (subscriber, #14792)
In reply to: All or nothing approach by Arker
Parent article: SFLC argues against software patents in the Supreme Court

So in particular: If MS and ATT decide to settle their issues out of court, the Supreme Court may still decide to rule on this software patent issue (or any issue) irregardless?

Or, does the case just disappear if the parties settle?

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All or nothing approach

Posted Dec 18, 2006 21:07 UTC (Mon) by Arker (guest, #14205) [Link]

It's my understanding the SC can do whatever they want. If the parties wish to withdraw at this point I think they would have to petition the court for approval. On the one hand, like most courts, the SC has a heavy docket and are happy to dispose of cases quickly. On the other hand, by the time they agree to hear a case, they've put some time and effort into it and probably want to go ahead and finish it up. So I can't predict what would happen, other than to say the court can pretty much do whatever they wish to.

IANAL, this is my understanding from following the court, and could well be wrong.