Microsoft Appeals MS Word Sales Injunction

Author Gordon Kelly
Published 20th Aug 2009
Microsoft Appeals MS Word Sales Injunction
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Inevitably, the Microsoft Word sales injunction has been challenged...

"Today, Microsoft filed a motion with the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to seek an expedited review of its appeal and to stay the permanent injunction while the appeal is pending," said Microsoft spokesman Kevin Kuntz (I'm showing good discipline). "These filings are not unusual in patent cases. As we've maintained throughout this process, we believe the evidence clearly demonstrates that we do not infringe and that the i4i patent is invalid."


As you might expected, i4i is holding firm. "i4i will continue to vigorously enforce its patent," countered i4i chairman Loudon Owen. "We firmly believe the jury verdict and judgment were both fair and correct and we have been vindicated through this process."

For those in need of a refresh, the i4i suit "prohibits Microsoft from selling or importing to the United States any Microsoft Word products that have the capability of opening .XML, .DOCX or DOCM files (XML files) containing custom XML". This is because of an alleged patent infringement.

In real world terms Microsoft is unlikely to ever pull Word from shelves. Outcomes are it will either drag this case out for years (as it did with the EU over Media Center bundling with Windows) or quickly settle. This is because the damaging effect of pulling the Office retail product would be far greater than virtually any amount i4i could win.

This one could get nasty...

Link:
via CNet US

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Latest 4 of 4 Comments

Have your say: Leave a comment below about this article.

comment scotw said on 20th August 2009

What we really need is for the US to sort out this ludicrous system where software can be patented. It seems no one can develop anything any more without some patent troll trying t... more

comment Steve said on 20th August 2009

@scotw

I agree, it stifles progression and advancements

comment Bailey's_Coffee said on 20th August 2009

It really is bizzarre that anyone could patent the use of 'custom XML' - when XML itself is an open and extensible standard - regardless of what container format it is used within.... more

comment life said on 22nd August 2009

Couldn't agree more, software patents are extremely harmful to the industry. This is unfortunately just a drop in the ocean of examples.

The whole situation is reall... more

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