Microsoft Barred from Selling Word in the US

Microsoft may already be a veteran in this kind of scenario. But still, getting barred from selling its own major product is something that the company should think about.  Especially, if that product continues to dominate the word processing application market.Reports have it that Texas judge Leonard Davis ruled that Microsoft cannot sell its own product – Microsoft Word in the U.S. anymore. The reason? Patent infringement over  XML.

The complaint was filed by i4i, an IT company in Toronto who alleged that Microsoft violated its 1998 patent (no. 5,787,449) for reading XML. In brief, XML is a programming language that lets users customize the underlying format of word-processing documents and allows them to be read by different word-processing programs. This functionality is one of the major feature of Microsoft Word.

Once the judge’s decision is carried out, will prohibit Microsoft from selling Word in the U.S as well as well as any other business transaction/processes that has something to do with Word.

In addition Judge Davis also requires Microsoft to pay i4i around $290 million in damages. Microsoft was of course more than disappointed about the Judge’s decision. Expectedly it will appeal the verdict.