It's heartening to know that "little guys" like i4i can still prevail against Goliaths/behemoths like Microsoft in patent enforcement actions. The trouble is that many people read stories like this one and think they can go it alone, ie, protect themselves and their IP without the help of a patent law professional. But legal counsel is essential, from the conception of an invention throughout its patent-protected lifetime.
http://www.industryweek.com/articles/patent_e...