Having already explained my thoughts on Microsoft’s IP predicament in a previous article, I will forgo repeating my rant once again. I will instead point out that despite Microsoft’s recent challenges in getting the next release of Word out the door, it looks as if there is really little hope of this being resolved anytime soon.
What is interesting however, is that this problem came up in the first place. While I would not have thought of myself saying this in the past, but I feel like there is a lesson being learned here on both sides. First of all, the report states that affected i4i was losing millions until Word 2003 was released. Then after this, they were apparently doing better. So if this is true, it would seem counterproductive to sue Microsoft if their violating the IP in this instance was actually seen as benefiting i4i’s bottom line inadvertently.
As to who is right in my mind, will be determined in the next hearing. Based on my past experiences, I do believe Microsoft knew full well what they were doing and did make some poor choices. No question about it. But at the same time, I cannot help but noodle around that idea that somehow i4i might end up shooting the cash cow if by some sliver of a possibility, Microsoft is right about the company doing better after the patent violation and if there is a connection there.
[awsbullet:microsoft+word+office]