MS SQL Server + Timeline

[Grok]

Microsoft has really screwed up this time.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/53/29419.html

In a nutshell, Microsoft customers who have been writing custom code using MS SQL 7.0 or newer are liable for millions of dollars in damages because MS included patented technology in the server distribution.  It was spelled out in the EULA accepted by end-users, and thus they are indeed liable.