Some will say that Microsoft is the “800 lb Gorilla” when it comes to software companies – and rightly so. But, does that give them the freedom to steal code to use in one of their most popular pieces of software – Microsoft Office?
I believe any sane person would think not!
There has been a battle going on between i4i (sounds like an “eye for an eye” doesn’t it, hmmm!) and Microsoft over some custom XML code used within their Office 2007 software suite – specifically Word 2007.
Well, i4i took Microsoft to court and unfortunately, for Microsoft, the jury ruled in favour of
the small Canadian company, i41 for a whopping $290 million. i4i stated that they “couldn’t be more pleased with the ruling”.
Now that Microsoft has lost the patent case, the court has ruled that Microsoft will need to pull Microsoft Word 2007 from retailer shelves starting January 11, 2010. Microsoft stated that they are in the process of removing the offending XML code and will have a Word 2007 and Office 2007 version ready by the injunction date. Prior versions of Word will not be affected by the courts injunction.
How will this affect Office 2010?
Microsoft confirmed that Office 2010 is not affected by the courts ruling and is expected to
launch on time in mid-2010. In Kevin Kutz’s own words “In addition, the beta versions of Microsoft Word 2010 and Microsoft Office 2010, which are available now for downloading, do not contain the technology covered by the injunction”.
When it comes down to brass tacks, whether you are a one-man shop, a growing software company or the big boy on the block – stealing doesn’t pay off!
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