 Microsoft Ordered To Stop Selling Word, Due To XML Patent Violation |
Welcome Guest ( Log In | Click here to Register a free account now! )
Register a free account to unlock additional features at BleepingComputer.com
Welcome to Bleeping Computer, a free community where people like yourself come together to discuss and learn how to use their computers. Using the site is easy and fun. As a guest, you can browse and view the various discussions in the forums, but can not create a new topic or reply to an existing one unless you are logged in. Other benefits of registering an account are subscribing to topics and forums, creating a blog, and having no ads shown anywhere on the site.  |
 Aug 12 2009, 09:49 PM
Post
#1
|
|
 Bleepin' Night Watchman  Group: Moderator Posts: 4,278 Joined: 5-December 05 From: The City of Saint Francis, by the western sea Member No.: 43,307  |
QUOTE Judge Leonard Davis, of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, ordered a permanent injunction that "prohibits Microsoft from selling or importing to the United States any Microsoft Word products that have the capability of opening .XML, .DOCX or DOCM files (XML files) containing custom XML," according to an announcement by the plaintiff, Toronto-based i4i Inc. Article Complaint (PDF) Injunction (PDF) The ban takes effect in 60 days and applies to Microsoft Word 2007 and 2003. Microsoft is expected to appeal. This post has been edited by Amazing Andrew: Aug 12 2009, 09:51 PM -------------------- |
 |
 
|
|
Aug 13 2009, 06:35 PM
Post
#2
|
|
 Forum Addict Group: BC Advisor Posts: 2,157 Joined: 24-June 06 From: Pace University - New York City Campus Member No.: 73,266 |
I just listened to an interview the the CEO of i4i did on CNET's Buzz Out Loud, available here, and I'm not entirely convinced that they aren't just patent trolling. After all, they did file in east Texas, ground zero for such lawsuits. I'm still a little hazy on what "custom XML" even is. I doubt Word will actually leave store shelves, it's just too large and important. Besides, many lawmakers and judges, and also justices, are not convinced that injunctions are all that effective in these cases. I would be a little surprised if the injunction actually stuck. This is just my two cents...
This post has been edited by DJBPace07: Aug 13 2009, 09:28 PM --------------------  |
|
|
|
|
Aug 14 2009, 01:26 PM
Post
#3
|
|
|
New Member Group: Members Posts: 11 Joined: 25-July 09 Member No.: 357,000 |
Skim-reading that, all I could glean from it was that they somehow managed to get a patent on such a simple idea as keeping document content and formatting structure in separate files.
|
|
|
|
 Aug 14 2009, 11:27 PM
Post
#4
|
|
 Member Group: Members Posts: 96 Joined: 12-October 07 Member No.: 162,456 |
Isn't XAML the Microsoft version of XML?
It looks the same as XML, but has subtle differences which stop native interaction in agreed W3C namespaces. It's a nightmare for database projects where the standards are not adhered to, much like the Internet Explorer 5 CSS bugs. Whilst East Texas may be a 'haven for patent litigation', isn't that where Microsoft ensured that every CPU had to have its own copy of Windows? That was way before Intel had heard of the dual core idea (Transputer from INMOS in UK in 1980's). Still, MS does try to patent everything itself, so it's the same law applied to all. Well, at least the damages are only $200,000,000 - it could have been worse. 'Microsoft are appealing' and how will they write up their appeal? OpenOffice is free and from the start complies with the patent. i4i Inc. have been producing interactive, standards compliant tools for several years - including for the legal profession and Governmental Departments. EDIT: Microsoft apparently have patented XML on 4th August 2009 Word-processing document stored in a single XML file that may be manipulated by applications that understand XML QUOTE A word processor including a native XML file format is provided. The well formed XML file fully represents the word-processor document, and fully supports 100% of word-processor's rich formatting. There are no feature losses when saving the word-processor documents as XML. A published XSD file defines all the rules behind the word-processor's XML file format. Hints may be provided within the XML associated files providing applications that understand XML a shortcut to understanding some of the features provided by the word-processor. The word-processing document is stored in a single XML file. Additionally, manipulation of word-processing documents may be done on computing devices that do not include the word-processor itself. Doesn't that seem a little too broad and convenient? Did the patent office know about this prior art? A 2001 post by the CEO of i4i explains the reason behind their XML document tools. It's even used in the US Patent Office. XML for the Rest of Us LondonLiving This post has been edited by londonliving: Aug 15 2009, 12:08 AM |
|
|
|
|
Aug 15 2009, 01:28 AM
Post
#5
|
|
|
Forum Addict Group: BC Advisor Posts: 2,157 Joined: 24-June 06 From: Pace University - New York City Campus Member No.: 73,266 |
I don't think MS ensured that every computer must run Windows. I thought earlier this year Microsoft started making an effort to open up their XML standard. This lawsuit is sort of a trial run for that company that just recently patented podcasting. Who knows when they will start suing everyone. There are interesting follow-ups and opinion pieces floating around the net. Microsoft can appeal, most likely to stop the injunction, which if it went through, would be ineffective. As the lawsuit goes up the legal chain in the U.S., new judges will look at the case and may evaluate it possibly up to the Supreme Court, though it is unlikely to get that far. This could continue for several years.
Tom's Hardware - MSFT Hoped Word 11 Would Render i4i "Obsolete" -------------------- |
|
|
|
|
Aug 15 2009, 01:58 AM
Post
#6
|
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 96 Joined: 12-October 07 Member No.: 162,456 |
QUOTE(DJBPace07 @ Aug 15 2009, 01:28 AM)  I don't think MS ensured that every computer must run Windows. I thought earlier this year Microsoft started making an effort to open up their XML standard. This lawsuit is sort of a trial run for that company that just recently patented podcasting. Who knows when they will start suing everyone. There are interesting follow-ups and opinion pieces floating around the net. Microsoft can appeal, most likely to stop the injunction, which if it went through, would be ineffective. As the lawsuit goes up the legal chain in the U.S., new judges will look at the case and may evaluate it possibly up to the Supreme Court, though it is unlikely to get that far. This could continue for several years. Tom's Hardware - MSFT Hoped Word 11 Would Render i4i "Obsolete" Microsoft argued that each computer must have it's own copy of an Operating System or software. That established that software was of least of equal value to a user as the hardware. Even Apple license on a per-computer (processor) or device. As for the podcasting issue surely there is an iPod link together with the Fraunhofer MP3 protection as this would cover 'distribution or diffusion by any network'. Vague, but over-comprehensive! Office 2010 has a similar engine, so the problem doesn't go away. Ah, well the story will continue. LL |
|
|
|
|
Oct 6 2009, 10:49 AM
Post
#7
|
|
|
New Member Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 6-October 09 From: Mays Landing, NJ Member No.: 386,741 |
Has there been any update on this situation? The 60 day deadline is approaching.
--------------------   |
|
|
|
|
Oct 6 2009, 10:09 PM
Post
#8
|
|
 Hail Groovicus! Group: Site Admin Posts: 7,971 Joined: 5-June 04 From: Centerville, SD Member No.: 689 |
The ruling is under appeal, so Microsoft can continue with sales.
QUOTE Office 2010 has a similar engine Yes, but since it still has not been released, there is time to rewrite code if necessary.
-------------------- |
|
|
|
 Nov 19 2009, 07:45 PM
Post
#9
|
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 81 Joined: 19-February 07 Member No.: 112,646 |
huh?
That is ignorant. That ranks right there with AOL and MSN Messenger having hissies because originally we could all chat together. 
|
|
|
|
|
2 User(s) are reading this topic (2 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:
| Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 26th November 2009 - 12:08 PM |
© 2003-2009 All Rights Reserved Bleeping Computer LLC.