As a followup to an earlier story, and
article over at news.com says:
"The patents cover a set of key technical protocols known as Web
services, a popular method for exchanging business documents over the
Internet. The protocols are in wide use today; Microsoft, IBM and other
software companies both large and small have incorporated them into
their programs.
The winning bidder was a company called JGR Acquisitions. An attorney
representing JGR was mum about his client, dodging reporters' questions
as he rushed out of the court room at the close of the auction."