Believing the Nook e-readers are ripping it off, Microsoft is suing Barnes & Noble and the manufacturers over the devices, which it says infringe on several patents.

CrunchGear reports the patents, which were filed between 1998 and 2005, have to do with browsing and downloading interfaces. Microsoft says Barnes & Noble isn’t licensing the concepts that others, such as Amazon and HTC, pay Microsoft to use.

A Google spokesperson chimed in to CrunchGear about the lawsuit, which it says “threatens innovation:”

“Sweeping software patent claims like Microsoft’s threaten innovation. While we are not a party to this lawsuit, we stand behind the Android platform and the partners who have helped us to develop it.”

Microsoft Alleges Patent Infringement On Barnes & Noble E-Reader Devices [CrunchGear]

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.