Microsoft is taking the Taiwanese mouse maker Primax Electronics to court claiming that it has wrongly made use of its patented hardware technologies.

Redmond has complained to the US International Trade Commission that Primax is selling computer mice that violate seven of its patents. Microsoft wants the UITC to ban Primax from selling the mice in the US.

A US District Court suit will also be filed seeking damages, officials say. At the centre of the row is Microsoft's tilt wheel, which lets users tilt the scroll wheel on a mouse or keyboard to manoeuvre the cursor on screen and the 'U2' technology, which connects a mouse using either USB or PS/2 ports.

Microsoft has sold licenses to more than 20 companies and has already taken peripheral maker Belkin to court over the U2 technology. X

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