Judge orders Microsoft to stop selling Word

**Jason** · 08-14-2009, 10:43 AM

SEATTLE — A federal district court judge has ordered Microsoft (MSFT) to stop selling Word in the U.S. — and the tiny company behind the lawsuit is digging in for a David vs. Goliath showdown.

Toronto-based i4i, which has 30 employees, claims that Microsoft violated an obscure patent related to Extensible Markup Language or XML. It's a key software component of many websites and computer programs, including Word.

Judge Leonard Davis agreed Tuesday, ordering Microsoft to pay $290 million in fines and stop selling Word in the U.S. in 60 days. That could derail a core business for the world's largest software maker.

As part of Microsoft Office, Word is used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Office accounted for more than $3 billion in sales in the company's last fiscal year.

"It's not a question of fear or pride or anything else," Loudon Owen, i4i chairman says. "We're very respectful of Microsoft, but when you're in the right you have to persevere."

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/20...-lawsuit_N.htm

**beefers1** · 08-14-2009, 11:11 PM

Quote:

No one expects Microsoft to actually pull Word off the market. It's a big company with deep pockets that has faced many legal challenges over the years. It could win the appeal, settle with i4i, or even buy out the company.

**sandman55** · 08-15-2009, 02:48 AM

I saw this somewhere else and I thought wow is Office going to be free

no such luck.

08-14-2009, 10:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jason BANNED Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pasco, FL Posts: 8,496 OS: Windows Vista My System Blog Entries: 2	Judge orders Microsoft to stop selling Word SEATTLE — A federal district court judge has ordered Microsoft (MSFT) to stop selling Word in the U.S. — and the tiny company behind the lawsuit is digging in for a David vs. Goliath showdown. Toronto-based i4i, which has 30 employees, claims that Microsoft violated an obscure patent related to Extensible Markup Language or XML. It's a key software component of many websites and computer programs, including Word. Judge Leonard Davis agreed Tuesday, ordering Microsoft to pay $290 million in fines and stop selling Word in the U.S. in 60 days. That could derail a core business for the world's largest software maker. As part of Microsoft Office, Word is used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Office accounted for more than $3 billion in sales in the company's last fiscal year. "It's not a question of fear or pride or anything else," Loudon Owen, i4i chairman says. "We're very respectful of Microsoft, but when you're in the right you have to persevere." http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/20...-lawsuit_N.htm __________________ Posting Tips \| Advice for New People \| Common Fixes \| Agus na damnaithe fágtha gan focal Glaoigh ormsa i measc na naomh Love to ONE, friendship to a FEW, and good will to ALL.

08-15-2009, 02:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
sandman55 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 5,534 OS: WinXP Pro SP3	Re: Judge orders Microsoft to stop selling Word I saw this somewhere else and I thought wow is Office going to be free no such luck. __________________ Charlotte at the beach