Microsoft releases new patch, complies with injunction against Word

Microsoft has released a patch for its Word software that will allow it to conform with this week's court ruling that it infringed on patents relating to the use of XML or extensible markup language in its flagship word processing software.

With the patch, computer makers would be able to strip Word and other Office programs of custom XML editing capabilities, which companies use to link their data to Word documents after it is installed on new machines preloaded with Word software. Microsoft Office, which includes Word PowerPoint, and Excel is used by millions of businesses and consumers and generated more than $3 billion in worldwide sales in Microsoft's most recent fiscal year.

Earlier this week, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ordered Microsoft to stop sales of Word programmes that used the infringing code from 11 January 2010 (See: Microsoft loses patent appeal, ordered to alter Word). The ruling which came in an appeal against a Texas jury verdict last August also upheld jury-imposed damages of $290 million against Microsoft. Microsoft was found in violation of patents owned by Canadian software company i4i Inc.
The ruling came in an appeal by Microsoft against a Texas jury verdict last August that found Microsoft had violated patents owned by Canadian software company i4i Inc.

The district court found that Microsoft captured 80 per cent of the custom XML market with its Word products that used i4i patented software, which forced the Canadian company to change its business strategy.

Meanwhile i4i, which won the landmark case against Microsoft, said it did not want to destroy Microsoft Word. i4i chairman Loudon Owen said the company was not seeking to stop Microsoft's business and not seeking to interfere with the users of Word.

In a telephone interview with CNET Owen said the ruling ordered an injunction only against Word shipping in a form that uses i4i's custom XML technology.