Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) isn't just loaded with cash, nerds, and chunky margins. The world's leading software company is apparently chock-full of patents, and it isn't afraid to enforce them.

Mr. Softy is suing salesforce.com (NYSE: CRM), alleging that the cloud-computing poster child's enterprise software tramples on nine existing Microsoft patents.

Microsoft doesn't like to come off as a public bully. Even if it has every right to enforce its intellectual properties, it doesn't like to give bashers and regulators one more reason to be critical.

More often than not, Microsoft settles its grievances amicably. This will be an interesting case to watch as it plays itself out.

Briefly in the news
And now let's take a quick look at some of the other stories that shaped our week.

  • Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) introduced its Google TV platform at a developers' conference on Thursday, promising to revolutionize the way we watch television by merging cable programming with online interactivity. This shouldn't be dismissed as a lightweight initiative. It will have some heavy hitters in its corner when Google TV goes public in the fall. Logitech (Nasdaq: LOGI) will be making set-top boxes. Sony (NYSE: SNE) will be incorporating Google TV into select televisions and Blu-ray players. Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) will be spearheading the marketing.

  • Sirius XM Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) raised its guidance for all of 2010 on Monday. The satellite-radio giant expects to close out the year with 750,000 more subscribers than it started with, more than the 500,000 it had been targeting as recently as two weeks ago. It also bumped up its projections for pro forma revenue, adjusted operating profits, and free cash flow. It's a strong signal, indeed.

Until next week, I remain,

Rick Munarriz