Judge rules Microsoft can't sell Word anymore

[rsmith6621]

By Seattle P-I Staff
LONGVIEW, Texas -- A federal judge in Texas ordered a permanent injunction Tuesday prohibiting Microsoft from selling any versions of Word that have the capability of opening XML files, saying they violated the patent of a Toronto firm.

XML is a "markup language" that allows users to customize the underlying format of their word-processing documents, for example, and makes them readable across different word-processing programs. The ability to read and write XML documents is an integral feature of Microsoft Word.

The injunction, which becomes effective in 60 days, prohibits Microsoft from selling future Word products that allegedly use the patented technology. It also enjoins Microsoft from testing, demonstrating, marketing or offering support for those future products.


http://www.komonews.com/news/microsoft/53069637.html

[BuyingThyme]

1. I hope they give 'em away. I'm still on '03.

[Catshrink]

6. Me too.

A friend of mine has Office '09 and it sux big time. I'm not sure I could ever get used to it -- we were working on a powerpoint presentation and It drove me nuts. Wonder if this was why Gates has dumped 8 million shares of Microsoft stock this month?

[damntexdem]

10. I have a newer version of Word on one computer, and simply won't word process on that computer.

I run my statistical analysis on that computer, then I word process on my older PC with its older version of Word -- one that is reasonable.

[SmileyRose]

2. Crap

Now I'm going to have to break down and pay that $200 for MS office afterall - and fast.

[LAGC]

3. OpenOffice.org anyone?

Been using it for years. Works just as good as Office for everything I do, minus the cost. Can read all its formats and do most all of its functions.

Its a no-brainer to me.

[whistler162]

12. You of course realize that this ruling will have the

same affect on OpenOffice!

Unless Sun has a license from that "Toronto" firm to open XML files.

[LAGC]

14. All I can say is...

Download it while its hot!!

[Old and In the Way]

4. So what happens to Office?

Word is integrated in MS Office...does that injunction freeze Office Sales? Sounds like very bad news for MS. Maybe that's another reason why Gates sold off a few million shares recently.

[Regret My New Name]

5. Hmmmm...

How far will this go? I'm not too sure about this.

[BlooInBloo]

7. A quick show of hands of all those who are dumb enough to believe...

MS will stop selling Word.

[sendero]

9. The net effect is..

... that MS will have to pay the owner of the patent for a license, or it will have to take XML capability out of Word.

What puzzles me a bit is that all kinds of MS product have XML capability, including the .NET framework, so I would assume the same scenario would apply.

[BlooInBloo]

11. Presumably (a) they'll appeal the ruling, which will be inert until the appeal...

(b) they'll pay off the company for a period of time,
(c) during that time, they'll get cracking on the most minimal change according to which they won't have to pay them.

[RC]

8. I didn't know MicroSoft sold anything except licenses.

So what is the big deal?

[Becky72]

13. Does anyone have a link to download Word free? Anything beyond Wordpad

I don't even have 2000.

[PoiBoy]

15. thanks..!

interesting news... thanks for posting..!


:hi: