Microsoft banned from selling Word in U.S…Microsoft buys U.S.

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In one of the more bizarre stories, like the bringing down of Al Capone through Tax law, Toronto-based i4i Inc has won an injunction against Microsoft based on XML patents.  This kind of means that Microsoft can't sell Word in the United States (Versions 2003, 2007, and assorted other bits and pieces).

Mashable's Pete Cashmore has the details of the injunction here.

If for some reason this stuck and MS were unable to sell Word 2007, it may knock a billion or two off the profit as the world is set to embrace Windows 7, and thus upgrade Office.  Not to mention all those businesses that skipped the Vista era and are still using Office 2003 or earlier, and who are looking at Windows 7 seriously.

Of course, the above won't be happening as the last line of the article points out, "An agreement will be reached: probably one involving Microsoft signing a big check."

Jason Remnant

...if it is broken, throw money at it.