A Texas Judge has ordered that Microsoft can no longer sell Microsoft Word in the United States. Seattle PI reports that the injunction follows a jury decision in May finding that Microsoft has wilfully infringed on a patent held by software company i4i.
The dispute centres around the use of 'Custom XML' markup language and applies to Microsoft Word 2000, 2003, 2007 and any future versions featuring the software. The Judgment also included US$200 million in damages payable to i4i.
Michael Cannata, director of i4i said “This
award demonstrates how companies like i4i can enhance their ability to protect and, when necessary
enforce, their patents by having a partner that provides patent expertise, litigation management skills
and the capital to succeed in patent enforcement and litigation”.
Microsoft spokesman Kevin Kutz said: "We are disappointed by the
court's ruling. We believe the evidence clearly demonstrated that we do
not infringe and that the i4i patent is invalid." He declined to
comment beyond the statement.
Patent infringement has increasingly become a thorn in the side of major digital companies. Leading internet telephony provider Skype indicated they may have to shut down their service earlier this month due to another patent dispute.
The full injunction (PDF) can be found here
