update Unlike it was first reported in this space, the 1.5 billion fine ruled two weeks ago against Microsoft over mp3 patents has NOT been reverted, however the software giant has made public its intentions of appealing the court decision. The following story relates to a second patent lawsuit between Microsoft and Alcatel-Lucent.

Recall just last week when Microsoft was ordered to shell out $1.5 billion to Alcatel-Lucent for including mp3 technology in Windows? Well, it happens that was just the first of a four-round patent lawsuit between the two companies. After heading back to the courts, a judge completely dismissed all the claims against Microsoft over a patent that covered speech coding technology. This means that, barring a successful appeal, Alcatel won't be receiving a dime this time:

Alcatel-Lucent plans to appeal the ruling and is "comfortable with our chances of success as the case makes its way through the legal system," spokeswoman Joan Campion said Friday.
The judge looking over the case felt that no patents were violated, in contrast to an earlier case that led to a huge $1.5 billion fine against Microsoft.