Microsoft Drops Controversial Patent Bid

a patent application that prompted

The Redmond, Wash.-based computer giant said it is now abandoning its U.S. Patent application that Professor Michael Kolling said copied key elements of his BlueJ Java development environment.

Jason Matusow, Microsoft's senior director of IP and Licensing, in a statement sent out late Monday, said:

Kolling, on his blog, said he was surprised at how fast all the events transpired after he first made his complaint public over the weekend:

He added, " I am very grateful if this gets resolved without involving the lawyers."