Microsoft loses patent appeal, Office and Word 2007 sales to be halted January 11, 2010

Microsoft has lost its appeal in its ongoing legal battle with small Canadian company i4i over XML code within Microsoft 2003 and 2007. The loss upholds the previous decision which requires Microsoft to pay $290 million to i4i and forces Microsoft to pull Word 2007 and Office 2007 from the shelves effective January 11th, 2010. Panic and mass hysteria will not ensue as Microsoft has stated that it is in the process of removing the offending code and will have a Word 2007 and Office 2007 version ready for retail by the injunction date. Microsoft also confirmed that Office 2010 is not affected by this ruling and is expected to launch on time in mid-2010. The winner, i4i, was much more jubilant in its response stating that it “couldn’t be more pleased with the ruling”. A $290 million windfall from a few lines of XML? We would be well pleased, too.Read