AfterDawn: News

Microsoft appeals Word XML case, again

Microsoft has filed a second appeal in their XML patent case, claiming the original ruling could be dangerous for future patent cases.

Last month, the software giant lost to tiny Canadian company i4i, and removed all infringing custom XML editing abilities from its Office 2003 and 2007 suite. Microsoft also paid $290 million in damages.



Of the new appeal, Kevin Kutz, director of public affairs for Microsoft says: The latest appeal "details significant conflicts we believe the December 22 decision creates with established precedents governing trial procedure and the determination of damages, and we are concerned that the decision weakens judges' authority to apply appropriate safeguards in future patent trials."

New versions of Office go on sale the 11th, with all infringing XML editing removed.

Loudon Owen, chairman of i4i responded to the new appeal: "This next step of seeking a rehearing was anticipated. We continue to be confident that we will prevail. We look forward to continuing to build i4i's business now that Microsoft is obligated to comply with the terms of the injunction. i4i stands ready to work with the wide range of customers that require this custom XML functionality."

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 9 Jan 2010 14:37

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• 6 comments

• djeazyg

  Microsoft doesn't like to loose. Cry babies.

  9.1.2010 17:20 #1

• GryphB

  Just how many times can one keep appealing a bitter loss? MicroCrap should learn to just lick their wounds and move on.

  9.1.2010 18:20 #2

• xnmalletx

  Originally posted by GryphB: Just how many times can one keep appealing a bitter loss? MicroCrap should learn to just lick their wounds and move on.how many times?? Its only been twice. You might think they've appealed it 5 times with the way you're talking.

  9.1.2010 19:04 #3

• Mrguss

  Originally posted by xnmalletx: Originally posted by GryphB: Just how many times can one keep appealing a bitter loss? MicroCrap should learn to just lick their wounds and move on.how many times?? Its only been twice. You might think they've appealed it 5 times with the way you're talking.2 times is too many for a super-rich Corp.
  

  +3000

  9.1.2010 19:18 #4

• KSib

  No. Organizations like to create lawsuits and appeal all of the time. If that's too many times then I don't know how you read the news and not cringe just about once or twice a week.
  
  The last thing MS was found guilty of was stealing code and then apologized for both instances of it without any appeal. They don't mind apologizing, but we don't have enough information to say if they actually are on to something here or not. I honestly don't think Word is going to be that much more unpopular because XML isn't in it. Most people still use DOC and the people that don't use DOC, use DOCX or the OpenOffice format ODT, I think it is. At the end of the day, our computing experience is pretty much un-phased as most people that wanted the newest Office already have it and have the XML feature built in.

  9.1.2010 19:45 #5

• llongtheD

  Quote:Originally posted by GryphB: Just how many times can one keep appealing a bitter loss? MicroCrap should learn to just lick their wounds and move on.how many times?? Its only been twice. You might think they've appealed it 5 times with the way you're talking.So how many times do you think they should be able to appeal? Who do you think is paying for the costs of the court, like the judge, bailiffs, court recorder, etc. Not Microsoft. Its pretty obvious they've ripped these guys off, now they're ripping off us. Of course even if they eventually do lose, they'll just pass the costs back onto the consumer anyways.

  9.1.2010 21:18 #6