SoftwareMedia

Not too long ago, a judge gave Microsoft 60 days to halt sales for Microsoft Word 2007. And since Microsoft Office 2007 also contains that same Word program, it only seems logical that the injunction applies there too. The order came down due to patent infringement &#82...12; a Toronto-based developer’s custom XML tagging patent. The permanent injunction “prohibits Microsoft from selling or importing to the United States any Microsoft Word products that have the capability of opening .XML, .DOCS or DOCM files containing custom XML,” explains the plaintiff’s attorneys. In addition, Microsoft is forbidden from testing, demonstrating or marketing any Word products containing the patent. More information about the legal proceedings can be found at CNET or Wired. Microsoft notes that on January 11th, the day of reckoning, they are prepared. On Tuesday, Microsoft announced, “We expect to have copies of Microsoft Word 2007 and Office 2007, with this feature removed, available for U.S. sale and distribution by the injunction date.” Products that have been purchased before this date are not affected. Beta versions of Microsoft Word 2010 and Microsoft Office 2010 are also unaffected, as these products do not contain the custom XML tagging feature. Surely, Microsoft won’t let the matter die — not when Microsoft Word and Microsoft Office are top-selling products and reputation is at stake. Aside from hashing out a clean Microsoft Word 2007 and Office 2007 in time for the injunction date, they “are also considering our legal options, which could include a request for a rehearing by the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals en banc or a request for a writ of certiorari from the U.S. Supreme Court.”