Microsoft touted the Plato (Multi-dimensional analysis or ‘cube’) technology, as well as the scriptable Data Transformation Services, as key features of the SQL Server 7 product. Now, CNET News.com is reporting that “Ruling threatens developers’ wallets. In a ruling that could force royalty fees on some developers working with Microsoft’s SQL Server 7 software, a judge says the software maker can’t sublicense another company’s patents to SQL Server customers.” Microsoft is going to get squeezed here and be forced to pay up for its developers, or the product is in big trouble.