Microsoft has filed a motion to halt the injunction banning it from selling Word in the US while it launches an appeal against the verdict.
The Redmond-based computer giant lost a recent patent infringement case brought by Toronto, Canada-based i4i concerning the reading of XML programming, which enables Word to read and write .XML, .DOCX, or DOCM files.
Now Microsoft has warned of ‘massive disruption’ and ‘irreparable harm’ if the ruling stays in place. Microsoft was given until October 10 to re-write parts of the Word code or be forced to stop selling the suite in North America. The ruling impacts Word 2003 2007.
Microsoft and its distributors (which include retailers such as Best Buy and OEMs such as HP and Dell) face the imminent possibility of a massive disruption in their sales,” said the motion.
“If left undisturbed, the district court’s injunction will inflict irreparable harm on Microsoft by potentially keeping the centerpiece of its product line out of the market for months. The injunction would block not only the distribution of Word, but also of the entire Office suite, which contains Word and other popular programs,” the company claimed.
As well as potential damage to Microsoft, the company also claims that its customers will suffer.
“Even if the injunction will not affect Microsoft’s existing Office customers, consumers and businesses who require new copies of Office and Word would be stranded without an alternative set of software,” the motion said.
