Judge: Microsoft can't sell Word anymore

[PeterHoggan]

A Texas judge ruled Tuesday that Microsoft cannot sell one of its flagship products, Word, in the United States because of patent infringement.

Judge: Microsoft can't sell Word anymore

 

[Mike Lewis]

Even if this is upheld (which seems very unlikely),it does not prevent Microsoft selling Word. They could, if absolutely necessary, remove the ability to save documents in DOCX format, which in any case only affects Word 2007. Admittedly, it would be drastic and expensive for them to do that, but it's definitely not the end of Word as we know it.

By the way, if I've read this right, it should also affect Excel 2007, as that too uses an XML-based format.

But I'd be willing to bet that the judgment won't stand up in a higher court. Or, if it does, it will take many years before there is a decision.

Mike

 

[PeterHoggan]

So what is microsofts legal position here, will they be required to remove existing boxes from the shelves of US Retailers?

 

[Mike Lewis]

Well, they've got 60 days in which to comply with the ruling. In practice, they're almost certain to lodge an appeal within that time, which will spin it out considerably.

Mike

 

[Scottish Business Owner]

It looks like Microsoft have won an initial stay of execution on this! Not really that surprising

BBC NEWS | Technology | Microsoft overturns Word sale ban

 

[theprofitdetective]

Looks like this one will run and run, powered by those very deep Microsoft pockets.

 

[Canary Dwarf]

Let's hope they'' be forced to remove Word as the HTML rendering engine for Outlook emails, but somehow, I doubt it

 

[Mike Lewis]

Let's hope they'' be forced to remove Word as the HTML rendering engine for Outlook emails, but somehow, I doubt it

I see your point, but the case has got nothing to do with that. It only concerns the use of XML as the underlying document structure in Word 2007.

Mike

 

[stugster]

Let's hope they'' be forced to remove Word as the HTML rendering engine for Outlook emails, but somehow, I doubt it

Thunderbird!

 

[Canary Dwarf]

Thunderbird!

I used to use Thunderbird before I switched to Exchange. I'm considering trying it out again on my Linux PC which is an email virgin.

 

[Canary Dwarf]

I see your point, but the case has got nothing to do with that. It only concerns the use of XML as the underlying document structure in Word 2007.

Mike

Yes but what i mean is if they outlaw XML in Word, it'll have to come out of Outlook too.

 

[Mike Lewis]

Yes but what i mean is if they outlaw XML in Word, it'll have to come out of Outlook too.

True. Not to mention Excel and Powerpoint.

If they had to go back to the "old" formats (which maybe 90-odd percent of users still use),that'd be no bad thing. But I still think it won't happen. Unfortunately.

Mike