13 August 2009

Microsoft faces ban on MS Word sales




A US judge told Microsoft yesterday that it is forbidden to sell Microsoft Word in the USA because it breaches an existing patent.

* Injunction would bar sales of 2003, 2007 Word versions

* Takes effect in 60 days

* Microsoft says will appeal, impact seen minimal

* Shares closed up 2 pct; flat in after-hours trade (Recasts, adds detail)


Judge Leonard Davis issued a permanent injunction against Microsoft forbidding it from selling Word 2003 and Word 2007 in the US.

The award was made after a Canadian company called Infrastructures for Information (i4i) claimed that Microsoft had breached its patent, US patent number 5,787,449. The firm was also awarded $240 million in damages.

Microsoft has said it will appeal against the decision, awarded by Judge Leonard Davis in the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division.

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