Company claims patent for download apps

[Groove]

A U.K. company claims to own a number of patents that relate to the process of downloading software and virus-protection updates over the Internet.

British Technology Group, or BTG, said Monday that it is in discussions with several companies, reportedly including Microsoft, in the hope of getting them to pay royalties.

"We have various patents that cover various ways of downloading software updates over the Web, including virus fixes and product enhancements. These cover products that are in widespread use today," a BTG representative said.

BTG is seeking both downpayments and future royalties from a "number of companies" that it claims have already produced products that infringe its patents. However, the company has not yet divulged details of the patents in question.

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