Windows Wednesday: Microsoft Office 2007 Borked in High Profile Patent Suit
Starting this week, Microsoft is required to comply with a federal injunction barring sales of Office '07 containing infringing code. The decision is the result of a patent lawsuit filed by Canadian software firm i4i for blatant infringement on XLM architecture in Word and Vista programs. Along with a $200 million settlement, the software giant is barred from selling software with .docx or .docm algorithms that ingringe on i4i patents from January 11th. Microsoft hustled out a sanitized Office 07 package, as well as an Office 2010 beta to keep the shelves stocked, but the Federal Circuit Court's denial of their appeal looks like a black eye to me.
Student Experts would like to reassure existing Office 07 users that neither your software nor licensing will be affected by this decision. Also, due to the specific acnature of the code involved, OpenOffice users also escape the scrutiny of the courts. With a new version of Office looming, SE offers its expert services in facilitating your upgrade from consultation to completion. A shiny new PC running Windows 7 is the best way to start a new year.
- 2 years ago
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