In May 2010, i4i Limited Partnership announced the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) upheld patent No. 5,787,449 after Microsoft Corporation asked for a reexamination in attempts to invalidate the patent claims. Microsoft was ordered in 2009 to pay $290 million to i4i for infringing the patent-at-issue, which relates to the company’s use of Extensible Mark Up Language (XML) in its Microsoft Word software.

I4i filed the patent infringement lawsuit in March 2007 alleging Microsoft willfully infringed the patent by making and selling Word 2003 and Word 2007. After the Court awarded i4i damages, it granted an injunction in January 2010, which prevented Microsoft from selling specific versions of its Office software. Microsoft lost its appeal of the verdict.

Since the USPTO’s ruling supporting the validity of i4i’s patent, Microsoft has said it is considering further options, including a petition to the Supreme Court.

SOURCES:  Diane Bartz and Bill Rigby, “i4i patent survives Microsoft challenge,” Reuters, May 11, 2010 (http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-48405920100511); Jonathan E. Skillings, “I4i: Patent office rules against Microsoft,” CNet, May 11, 2010 (http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-20004651-75.html).