Microsoft Word banned in the United States!

Fret not, faithful Word users! Although a judge has banned the sales and distribution of Microsoft Word in the U.S., the product will still be, well, sold and distributed. A patent infringement lawsuit against Microsoft forbids Word from having XML, .DOCX or DOCM file opening capabilities. Toronto-based i4i Inc. has placed the injunction against Microsoft, alleging that the team in Redmond knew it was infringing on patented technology. Here is the injunction:

Microsoft Corporation is hereby permanently enjoined from performing the following actions with Microsoft Word 2003, Microsoft Word 2007, and Microsoft Word products not more than colorably different from Microsoft Word 2003 or Microsoft Word 2007 (collectively “Infringing and Future Word Products”) during the term of U.S. Patent No. 5,787,449:

1. selling, offering to sell, and/or importing in or into the United States any

Infringing and Future Word Products that have the capability of opening a .XML,

.DOCX, or .DOCM file (“an XML file”) containing custom XML;

2. using any Infringing and Future Word Products to open an XML file

containing custom XML;

3. instructing or encouraging anyone to use any Infringing and Future Word

Products to open an XML file containing custom XML;

4. providing support or assistance to anyone that describes how to use any infringing and Future Word Products to open an XML file containing custom XML;

and

5. testing, demonstrating, or marketing the ability of the Infringing and Future

Word Products to open an XML file containing custom XML.

This injunction does not apply to any of the above actions wherein the Infringing and Future Word Products open an XML file as plain text.

via Judge: Microsoft Banned from Selling Word in the US.

Of course, it will still be business as usual for Microsoft and Word users while the software titan dips into its deep pockets for hush money as it ultimately settles this case. In the meantime, Microsoft will be appealing the suit.