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Microsoft Patenting Office XML Formats

Posted by michael on from the uh-oh dept.

mmurphy000 writes "News(.com)+ reports that Microsoft has filed for patents in multiple jurisdictions to control the way other applications use Office's new XML-based file formats. Musings from pundits suggest that OpenOffice.org and other applications might be blocked from interoperating with Office. This, of course on the heels of today's article on Bruce Perens' concerns over patents."

10 of 455 comments (clear)

  1. Re:They can patent file formats now? by PatrickThomson · · Score: 2, Funny

    Hey, chemistry's probably worse...

    --
    I am one of many. My idea is not unique, nor do I expect my voice alone to sway you. I speak in a chorus of opinion.
  2. Now all we need... by graveyardduckx · · Score: 5, Funny

    is for SCO to claim they own all of the code to the unix interoperability services/functions/whatever for Windows. Then Microsoft goes after SCO for using XML somewhere else. Then they can go after each other in court. Let them destroy each other! Yay! Off-topic or is it? It's 5:20am and I'm still awake, ignore this post, I'm an idiot.

    1. Re:Now all we need... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Some one at least give him +1 insightful for the lasts 3 words ...

  3. Reminds me of SCO... by 5.11Climber · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think that Microsoft is now in the early stages of SCOitis. Our products suck but we have some questionable IP and we're going to make that our major source of revenue.

    --
    Arf!
  4. ??? = Patent the format. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    I finally get it!

    1. Base your new Office suite on an established format.
    2. Modify the standard.
    3. ???
    4. Profit.

    MS have finally filled in the ???

  5. Microsoft by ArbiterOne · · Score: 1, Funny

    I just saw this on the Slashdot front page and I was thinking, "Microsoft really does want to own everything. Good thing there's always Open Source..."
    Then I looked over to the right... and I saw...
    An ad for Microsoft's Visual Studio. On an Open Source web site.
    What is the world coming to?

  6. Re:They can patent file formats now? by jazman · · Score: 4, Funny

    IHNRTFPA, but as long as they have used the form $TOTALLY_OBVIOUS_PROCESS + 'using a computer' they'll get it.

    I was thinking of filing a patent for scratching my arse using a computer, but then I remembered I'm not American and have better things to do with six thousand quid.

  7. Re:Europe fight this thing united! by tkittel · · Score: 2, Funny

    > Patents are indeed more dangerous than SCO.

    Most things are...

  8. Re:They can patent file formats now? by Peaker · · Score: 2, Funny

    Maybe that's the reason its "small"? :)

    I do think its great you refuse to use closed/patented formats. Nice to have morals above enriching yourself.

  9. Re:They can patent file formats now? by Peaker · · Score: 2, Funny

    My comment about it being nice that you have your morals above enriching yourself was not sarcrastic...