Microsoft Files Another Appeal in i4i Inc. Case

Lliterally only a couple of days before the injunction against Microsoft Word and Office goes into full effect on Monday, January 11, Microsoft has announced that it has yet again filed another appeal on Friday [yesterday]. While Microsoft has already started complying with the injunction by shipping new versions of Word and Office without the trouble-causing XML feature, the company has asked for a rehearing with either the full appeals court or the partial panel that heard its case.

Microsoft said in a statement:

“Today Microsoft filed a petition with the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit for both panel rehearing and rehearing en banc in the I4i case. The petition details significant conflicts we believe the December 22 decision creates with established precedents governing trial procedure and the determination of damages, and we are concerned that the decision weakens judges’ authority to apply appropriate safeguards in future patent trials.”

i4i Inc. Chairman Loudon Owen responded yesterday with the following statement:

“We continue to be confident that we will prevail. In the meantime, the injunction against Microsoft goes into effect in three days, on Monday January 11. We look forward to continuing to build I4i’s business now that Microsoft is obligated to comply with the terms of the injunction. I4i stands ready to work with the wide range of customers that require this custom XML functionality.”

[ CNET ]