An appeal hearing about Microsoft Word is set for 23 September
Microsoft wins fast-track Word appeal
/v3-uk/news/1988524/microsoft-wins-fast-track-word-appeal
26 Aug 2009, Phil Muncaster , V3
Microsoft has been granted the right to a fast-track appeal against the recent injunction forcing it to stop selling Word in the US after 10 October.
The request was granted by a panel of federal judges, who refused to acquiesce to Microsoft's other demand to nullify the injunction altogether.
A Microsoft spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that the court has set an expedited schedule for this appeal."
A federal judge ruled on 10 August that the software giant was guilty of infringing a patent held by i4i, a Canadian firm specialising in Word XML authoring software, slapping it with a $290m (£122m) fine and a ban on selling Word in the US from October.
The fast-track appeal decision now means that Microsoft will be able to make its case to the appeal judges more quickly than would usually be the case. An oral hearing is set for 23 September.
Microsoft would not comment further, except to say: "We believe the court erred in its interpretation and application of the law in this case and look forward to the 23 September hearing before the US Court of Appeals."
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Do you agree?
Hope It Sticks!
Lets just hope that the result sticks & M$ has to fork out forever, perhaps enough to screw them completely.
Posted by Rex Alfie Lee, 26 Aug 2009
Get Out
I have no doubt that if the charges stick M$ will go all out to buy up the other company. There is no way that they will take this lying down. I must say though, it serves themselves right after they pushed, bullied and bought their way through European politicians to get the format accepted as a standard!
I hope that they end up paying for there mistake at least until another operating system and office package becomes accepted enough to challange the dominant position M$ holds at present.
Posted by BigT, 28 Aug 2009
Danger
The court order allowing the continued sale of MS Word in itself is indicative of the power MS as a monopoly has. To subvert the system. Therein lies the danger. The idea of restricting monopoly's was and is based on the premise that they will be able to subvert the 'system', in other words government, the law and so forth if allowed unbridled domination of the market. It also is very clear to me that Microsoft is a monopoly the girdles the world and imagine the danger inherent in that. As it is most attempts at putting restrictions on the global monopoly of Microsoft have failed. An Orwellian nightmare that even he could not have imagined is afoot. Not many people are even interested in dealing with it. They' d rather swallow the pill even though it is extremely bitter. Why rock the boat even though you are heading towards the falls.
Posted by Khan Md Ashraf, 05 Sep 2009