Microsoft banned from selling Office and Word 2007
That is right people, Microsoft has lost its appeal to sell the Microsoft Office and Word 2007 versions of it’s software. Turns out that it was not indeed a patent troll and Microsoft was infringing on a copyright for the handling of XML documents held by a no name company “i4i”. Turns out that the little 30 person database design firm got the U.S court of appeals to agree with them and come January 11′th Word 2007 as well as Office 2007 will not be sold.
Microsoft is fixing the problem however and plans to have a version of 2007 Word and Office out in time to fix the issue. That said, they can always appeal tot he Supreme Court to get a few extra weeks or month to get those versions off the shelves of retailers and the new versions out before the new judgement takes place. Of course, with no end to cash in sight they have the option of buying out i4i and getting all the patents. Either way its a win win situation for Microsoft and gives i4i some notoriety.
VIA: Engadget
