Blackboard wins suit against Desire2Learn

February 25, 2008

Over the weekend (and snow day), I saw the educational blog world aflutter with the news about Blackboard’s win over rival D2L.  Inside Higher Ed covers the story quite well. (Also at The Chronicle.) Blackboard’s patent has long been disputed and many in the educational technology community have been critical over Blackboard’s recent business practices.  In fact, according to Michael Feldstein, who has been following the case since it began, Blackboard is losing customers and some blame these practices in part.  Blackboard’s many patents are still being reviewed after several entities, including the Software Freedom Foundation asked the patent office for the review (which I discussed here).  Educause, the leading organization for higher education technology, also criticized Blackboard’s patents.  I think it will be a while before we fully know what the fallout (if any) is.  D2L is likely to appeal and we’ll be waiting for the patent review as well.

Posted in blackboard, course management, education, technology