Microsoft, i4i appeal heard, both confident

Microsoft and i4i are once again squaring off in court in their ongoing legal battle over a patent regarding custom XML used in Microsoft Word is continuing, with both sides confident of their eventual victory. At a recent appeal, i4i made a statement that said Microsoft used the same arguments it has made unsuccessfully at the original trial.

"This case is critical not just for i4i but also so all entrepreneurs and inventors can enforce their property rights created by patents," the statement read.

A Microsoft spokesperson summarized his company's arguments during the appeal, emphasizing that it did not infringe on the patent, which itself it deems invalid.

"Courts need to construct claims properly," he said, "and common sense can’t be abandoned when it comes to damages calculation."

The Microsoft spokesperson added that the team was pleased with the hearing and looks forward to its ruling.

Unnamed sources close to the matter indicate the federal court is expected to take two to six months to issue a ruling, ZDNet reported. Once made, the ruling would either reversal the original decision or schedule a new trial, but not indicate the winning side.

Initially, in August, Microsoft was ordered to pay $290 million and was ordered to stop sales of Word for infringing on i4i's patent, but has appealed the decision and was granted a stay of the order until this legal matter is totally resolved.

By Electronista Staff