Microsoft Wants To Get A Word In

Written by prupert Friday, 21 August 2009 09:55

The much publicised ruling by a Texas judge that Microsoft (MS) must stop selling Word within 60 days in the US has generated a lot of buzz. Unsurprisingly, Microsoft is appealing the decision. The consensus is that MS will get the ruling overturned in a higher court (as it believes that it has not infringed any patents) or that it will simply pay out to avoid the ban. However, from its reaction to the EU rulings against anti-competitive product bundling, which OTR-Group was heavily involved in by providing technical advice, MS will probably change little and just pay the fine. It does make you wonder what exactly they are trying to achieve here? Is this simply a case of mistaken source code identity, or a business loosing its direction due to its size.

Such moves are likely to start other developers looking through their back catalogue and business practices, to ensure they can't be hit with similar injunctions. Whilst MS can handle such heavy fines, others do not have such deep pockets. One company in particular, makers of popular lifestyle accessories including a mobile phone and an MP3 player, is apparently edging ever closer to investigations into its business practices in the way it decides what applications can and can't be sold via its online marketplace. No doubt the EU are already looking into this practice to check that it is fair and open.