Platform Solutions v IBM: Estoppel, Old Show Key
by Hesh Wiener

On January 19, Platform Solutions belatedly responded to IBM's patent infringement lawsuit, which was filed November 29. Platform's response was more than an answer to IBM's complaint. It was also a countersuit alleging IBM had treated Platform unjustly and illegally, invoking a concept lawyers call promissory estoppel; asserting IBM was in violation of antitrust laws; and claiming IBM's behavior mocked the arrangement under which IBM got out from under the 1956 Consent Decree that had constrained Big Blue's practices for more than 40 years. READ MORE >

Top Mainframe Stories from Around the Web

(Enterprise IT Planet) When do fierce competitors like IBM and Oracle learn to cooperate? The answer is quite simply, when both stand to benefit. Will it work when it comes to running Oracle software on Linux on System z? I wouldn't call it a slam dunk, but it could score points for additional enterprise Linux deployments in the mainframe world. READ MORE >

(PSI) Just last week, clone mainframe maker Platform Solutions was showing some bluster by filing an antitrust lawsuit against IBM after Big Blue took a swing at the upstart mainframe manufacturer with a patent infringement claim. So what's next? How about a press release from PSI announcing the firm had hired a 30-year IBM veteran as executive VP of sales? Hardly a knockout blow, but I'd say it rates a black eye. READ MORE >

(IBM) HSBC Mexico migrated its e-mail infrastructure to Lotus Domino running on System z. The payoff, according to this case study written for IBM, was an increase in resilience, security, and scalability. On top of that, eight servers were consolidated into two servers, bringing a reduction in staffing costs. READ MORE >

Chats, Webinars, Seminars, Shows, and Other Happenings

See our full calendar of events at
http://www.itjungle.com/big/big-calendar.html

February 5-9 -- San Francisco - The RSA Conference rolls out more than 220 sessions and 19 educational tracks with a focus on security. Keynote addresses include perspectives from the executives of top companies and an expo area featuring more than 300 vendors add to this highly respected event. LEARN MORE >

February 11-16, 2007 -- Tampa, Florida - SHARE User Events offer technical training tailored for enterprise-class IT professionals. The focus is on real-world solutions that meet business challenges. This event is an opportunity to influence future product development and preview current and future solutions from IBM and other leading technology providers. LEARN MORE >

Febraruy 21 -- Webinar - Before developers can enhance and integrate a complex portfolio of mainframe applications in a service oriented architecture, they need to understand the business assets that are invested in them. This session, which begins at 11 a.m. EST, includes material for both a technical and business audience. LEARN MORE >

March 6 -- Tampa, Florida - This technical briefing, WebSphere Live for SOA, is a one-day forum that emphasizes and explains why service oriented architecture (SOA) is a key differentiator for the success of companies of all sizes across all industries. It is aimed at a technical audience. LEARN MORE >

March 8 -- Southfield, Michigan - This technical briefing, WebSphere Live for SOA, is a one-day forum that emphasizes and explains why service oriented architecture (SOA) is a key differentiator for the success of companies of all sizes across all industries. It is aimed at a technical audience. LEARN MORE >

April 23-27 -- Orlando, Florida - IBM system management products are the highlight of the Automated Operations Technical Council conference, where sessions are presented by representatives from IBM software development teams and their customers. The focus is on the mainframe environment, but extends out into the enterprise. The AOTC is a closed conference, with attendance by invitation only. Contact your IBM field representative for more details and an opportunity to attend. LEARN MORE >

May 6-10 -- San Jose, California - The International DB2 Users Group conference, known as IDUG 2007 North America, offers training and education on topics that include including DB2 for Linux, Unix, Windows; DB2 for z/OS; Informix; Java; Websphere; and XML. LEARN MORE >