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By Rupert Goodwins ZDNet UK
Posted on ZDNet News: Aug 07, 2009 4:54:35 AM

The US patent office has granted a Microsoft patent application, 7,571,169, which "... is directed at providing a word-processing document in a native XML file format that may be understood by an application that understands XML, or to enable another application or service to create a rich document in XML so that the word-processing application can open it as if it was one of its own documents. "

The patent, filed in December 2004 and granted on August 4 2009, specifies that this is done using an XML Schema Document (XSD), which contains more information about the document's formatting, and also covers systems that can open the document without using the original word processing software.

Both XML and XML Schema are long-established open standards, designed to do exactly this, among many other functions.

The patent also specifies that the document can contain formatting information such as line, paragraph and page breaks, font styles and sizes, and other standard components of text documents.

Within the patent, Microsoft has included a list of over a hundred references to books, articles, patents and other software that bear on XML usage in word processing.

On the face of it, the patent would appear to cover all usage of XML and XSDs in word processing document, which would effectively leave all other modern word processors - and other software that used their documents - liable to licensing by the company.

This article was originally posted on ZDNet UK.

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the patent will not be up held on appeal
Under the opinion of the Supreme Court in KSR, the examiner inappropriately allowed the claims (using a lack of motivation or suggestion in the prior art). Microsoft will win on appeal. If you want real patent advice go to www.masonpatents.com.

James Mason
... (Read the rest)
Posted by: JamesMason15 Posted on: 09/04/09 You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
Property List Editor  grscjo3 | 08/07/09
The US patent system is ridiculous  bmonsterman | 08/07/09
MS would patent breathing if they could get away with it.  fr0thy2 | 08/07/09
Sorry,  Erroneous | 08/07/09
I once lived there...  ShadowGIATL | 08/09/09
You act as though...  ShadowGIATL | 08/09/09
It's the nature of today's business....  cosuna | 08/10/09
RE: No one  zdnet@... | 08/11/09
Right, RCA was constantly in court...  sykandtyed | 08/10/09
But if you stop them...  ShadowGIATL | 08/11/09
But the Apple Corp....  kaninelupus | 08/10/09
Apple is a licensee of the word  cholzwarth | 08/10/09
Is iTunes in the music buisness?  mjolnar@... | 08/10/09
Technically no.  ShadowGIATL | 08/10/09
Patent for free utilisation?  JanEnEml | 08/11/09
It's simple enough...  GetReal-mac.com | 08/14/09
Maybe the patent office can't afford...  sykandtyed | 08/10/09
Actually...  fairportfan | 08/12/09
Re: MS would patent breathing  kblood@... | 08/10/09
What about the open source community?  satovey@... | 08/10/09
Re; My take is that they are cowards.  hkommedal | 08/10/09
Tell you what,  jimhood82 | 08/12/09
No one is saying that...  ShadowGIATL | 08/09/09
There are patents that don't make sense  cameigons | 08/10/09
Just because something exist in digital form...  ShadowGIATL | 08/10/09
You'll still end up in court...  sykandtyed | 08/10/09
That has been going on since the beginning.  ShadowGIATL | 08/11/09
Let's take a deep breath here...  RaulYbarra | 08/11/09
Thank you...  ShadowGIATL | 08/11/09
M$ helped break it  cholzwarth | 08/10/09
Re; wonder if they will be registering this one globally.  hkommedal | 08/11/09
Re. The US patent system is ridiculous.  Bilmekanikeren | 08/10/09
MS has to patent it  deepee912 | 08/11/09
No. This can not be a valid patent due to a huge amount of . .  hkommedal | 08/11/09
US patent system is ridiculous?  ZayasE | 08/13/09
Our patent system is broken  gtvr | 08/07/09
It works the way it was intended.  ShadowGIATL | 08/09/09
In what alternate dimension?  skepticat | 08/10/09
so it's a money waster?  Mitch 74 | 08/10/09
Careful what you ask for.  ShadowGIATL | 08/10/09
reading  tmsbrdrs | 08/10/09
Difference between theory and practice.  ShadowGIATL | 08/11/09
No, it doesn't  DeusExMachina | 08/10/09
Ok...  ShadowGIATL | 08/10/09
Because, again, that is not how the patent process works  DeusExMachina | 08/10/09
I doubt that is really their intentions here.  ShadowGIATL | 08/11/09
Re; Until the US becomes a socialist state . .  hkommedal | 08/10/09
You take words out of context.  ShadowGIATL | 08/10/09
Lawyers  satovey@... | 08/10/09
Bwahahaha!  Yagotta B. Kidding | 08/07/09
I wouldn't worry too much about this  Michael Kelly | 08/07/09
It would be nice to think so...  jackbond | 08/07/09
"I'm sure Microsoft filed this defensively"  fr0thy2 | 08/07/09
Do this...  jackbond | 08/07/09
Exactly  beoz | 08/07/09
What?!  kurtesmaximus | 08/10/09
open source nutjobs?  neverhome | 08/10/09
Right, take out the competiton.  mjolnar@... | 08/10/09
Destroy Open Source.  bigpicture | 08/10/09
prior art date  dabble53 | 08/10/09
Re; have to exist 1 year before the filing date, . .  hkommedal | 08/10/09
That all depends...  RaulYbarra | 08/11/09
the community should rise  Linux Geek | 08/07/09
Why?  Fark | 08/07/09
I wouldn't trust MS with this patent.  storm14k | 08/07/09
it could use it as a threat and FUD  Linux Geek | 08/07/09
Because while MS is smiling at you ...  fr0thy2 | 08/07/09
What?  SkaldedKat | 08/10/09
MS put will put it in it's cummunity license? We'll see, I doubt it.  MrRickle | 08/10/09
Has the patent system go through any overhaul/review  Boot_Agnostic | 08/07/09
MS also filed this patent:  CounterEthicsCommissioner-23034636492738337469105860790963 | 08/07/09
This is a serious problem...and its not about MS.  storm14k | 08/07/09
Simple?  zdnet-gregc | 08/08/09
There are several memes  daengbo | 08/10/09
Even if it doesn't hold it in court  rarsa | 08/07/09
Yup. Time for the DOJ -- again...  HypnoToad72 | 08/07/09
Dinosaur droppings  whisperycat | 08/07/09
You missed the point  wolf_z | 08/07/09
RE: Microsoft patents XML word processing documents  Loverock Davidson | 08/07/09
How long is your attention span?  HypnoToad72 | 08/07/09
In this case, you're right  IT_User | 08/07/09
Worst case scenario and Microsoft go hand in hand.  fr0thy2 | 08/07/09
Well, yeah, it is...  corlandogcrta.org | 08/11/09
Apple is a Giant? With 9% of marketshare? Are you kidding???  No More Microsoft Software Ever! | 08/11/09
Apple is a giant...  corlandogcrta.org | 08/11/09
Why spend money on a patent...  jasonp@... | 08/12/09
Or could it be...  KTLA | 08/07/09
Did you even read the patent?  zeeman13@... | 08/07/09
Can Openoffice.org sue?  HypnoToad72 | 08/07/09
Wrong wrong wrong  Gladiatorcn | 08/07/09
No. Sigh. It wasn't about patents or binaries.  wolf_z | 08/07/09
google docs  jeffk464 | 08/07/09
How can MS patent an open standard?  BitTwiddler | 08/07/09
They'd patent FOSS, Linux and freedom too ...  fr0thy2 | 08/07/09
Start your own comapny  e_ecruz | 08/07/09
It's what you do that's important ...  fr0thy2 | 08/07/09
YES!!!  Ole Man | 08/07/09
Funny thing is....  storm14k | 08/09/09
try feeding your family...  ShadowGIATL | 08/09/09
There is a bit of difference between the need of money and . .  hkommedal | 08/10/09
True...  ShadowGIATL | 08/10/09
Remember BeOS?  Henk de Boer | 08/10/09
Apple had nothing to do with killing BeOS. It was all Microsoft! (NT)  No More Microsoft Software Ever! | 08/11/09
Own money?  SkaldedKat | 08/10/09
What are you suggesting?  No More Microsoft Software Ever! | 08/11/09
So simple even a Windoze user can get it  Ole Man | 08/07/09
So simple even a Windoze user can get it  neverhome | 08/10/09
patenting a standard  zdnet-gregc | 08/09/09
Re; patenting a standard.  hkommedal | 08/10/09
RE: Microsoft patents XML word processing documents  jeffk464 | 08/07/09
And it won't be the last Cake Microsoft tries to take over!! (NT)  No More Microsoft Software Ever! | 08/11/09
RE: Microsoft patents XML word processing documents  zeeman13@... | 08/07/09
RE: Microsoft patents XML word processing documents  jsjweb@... | 08/07/09
RE: Microsoft patents XML word processing documents  e_ecruz | 08/07/09
Please read the claims.  bob535 | 08/07/09
and suddenly ...  shis-ka-bob | 08/07/09
FYI  zkiwi | 08/07/09
Patents work - like it or not.  Aussie_Troll | 08/08/09
Your point is valid, but software patents for 20 years?  B.O.F.H. | 08/08/09
If software evolves so quickly...  corlandogcrta.org | 08/11/09
Do you remember EDI? XML will replace it.  No More Microsoft Software Ever! | 08/11/09
Moore's Law pertains to transistors, not software.  B.O.F.H. | 08/12/09
Well...  zkiwi | 08/08/09
Prove it.  CobraA1 | 08/09/09
here is some prove -  Ramgni | 08/10/09
Talk about articulating and spelling...  corlandogcrta.org | 08/11/09
Yeah, Aussie, how about MS creates something instead of stealing or buying?  No More Microsoft Software Ever! | 08/11/09
I thought patents had to be unique(ish)  JonathanWilson | 08/08/09
Donald Knuth: Mathematical Ideas, or Algorithms, Should Not Be Patented  ­  | 08/08/09
I agree  Tony R. | 08/10/09
Current URL for LPF  RepliCounts | 08/11/09
RE: Microsoft patents XML word processing documents  Byterat | 08/08/09
The process  Aussie_Troll | 08/09/09
It was in use 5 years before.  hkommedal | 08/10/09
The Microsoft process - 1. Steal idea 2. Patent it  whisperycat | 08/09/09
RE: Microsoft patents XML word processing documents  The_Toxic_Mite | 08/09/09
The US patent system is the laughing stock of the world  whisperycat | 08/09/09
M$ is weeding out parasites!  privacy matters | 08/09/09
Suns "Star Office" and later "OpenOffice" had this in use  hkommedal | 08/10/09
Microsoft is protecting own market!  privacy matters | 08/09/09
and vice versa!  privacy matters | 08/09/09
Re; you won't be able to import MS documents!  hkommedal | 08/10/09
Three Options  joelsapp | 08/10/09
Careful you don't use "pageup/pagedown"  Ole Man | 08/10/09
Update, 11 August 2009  Ole Man | 08/11/09
Conspiracy theorist?  ShadowGIATL | 08/12/09
Microsoft now attempt to fragment ODF May 5th, 2009  Ole Man | 08/10/09
Out of curiousity...  ShadowGIATL | 08/10/09
My point of view should be obvious  Ole Man | 08/10/09
It is.  ShadowGIATL | 08/11/09
Just another corrupt government function  code_flogger | 08/10/09
So why didn't the inventors...  ShadowGIATL | 08/10/09
You're doing a great job.  ShadowGIATL | 08/11/09
RE: Microsoft patents XML word processing documents  jlang@... | 08/10/09
Can Patents be Appealed?  bearlyworking | 08/10/09
Yes. (nt)  ShadowGIATL | 08/10/09
RE: Microsoft patents XML word processing documents  dgpeter@... | 08/10/09
No other Choice  Richard B | 08/10/09
Excellent point actually.  ShadowGIATL | 08/10/09
Prior Art  cholzwarth | 08/10/09
I have seen many...  ShadowGIATL | 08/10/09
Who cares?  davidhayes | 08/10/09
Master Joe Says...  MasterJoe | 08/10/09
Misrepresentation! XML is a subset of SGML!  ioot@... | 08/10/09
This is a two part patent, and the other patent is more interesting  ioot@... | 08/10/09
RE: Microsoft patents XML word processing documents  ioot@... | 08/10/09
so M$ thinks they own XML now. they didn't invent XML or the word processor  wessonjoe | 08/10/09
SUE M$  myrealname | 08/10/09
Only if you have VERY deep pockets.  hkommedal | 08/10/09
Last I heard....  ShadowGIATL | 08/10/09
RE: Microsoft patents XML word processing documents  awasson@... | 08/10/09
Who invented TV?  misceng | 08/10/09
Didn't MS say their use of XML in 2007 suite was going to be 'open'  bruce88 | 08/10/09
what a bunch of lamers :Patent Office  ash_sids | 08/10/09
Open standards?  cburkitt2 | 08/10/09
standards versus open  Ramgni | 08/10/09
Microsoft is simply asserting their authority over their "customers"  Ole Man | 08/10/09
All companies lobby.  ShadowGIATL | 08/10/09
Point taken  Ole Man | 08/11/09
Well...  ShadowGIATL | 08/11/09
RE: Microsoft patents XML word processing documents  arash_r@... | 08/10/09
No. It is the other way around.  hkommedal | 08/10/09
Bad news for ODF?  chas_2 | 08/10/09
RE: Microsoft patents XML word processing documents  arwalden | 08/10/09
RE: Microsoft patents XML word processing documents  jean-v.cote@... | 08/10/09
What a joke  Don't Ask Me | 08/10/09
Software patents is killing software innovation in the US  WiredGuy | 08/10/09
RE: Microsoft patents XML word processing documents  pc_techs_ct@... | 08/10/09
Prior Art Anyone  tracy anne | 08/10/09
RE: No big deal ...  George Mitchell | 08/10/09
RE: No big deal ...  pc_techs_ct@... | 08/12/09
RE: Microsoft patents XML word processing documents  walkerjian@... | 08/10/09
Can't possibly cover something that was already invented  roncemer | 08/10/09
RE: Microsoft patents XML word processing documents  evil_corvine | 08/10/09
Re; governments are enforcning MS exclusive usage of that same format.  hkommedal | 08/10/09
This is terrible  chaz15 | 08/10/09
Microsoft...  rsn10100 | 08/10/09
It's you who missed something  daengbo | 08/10/09
No it's you who's missing the point  chaz15 | 08/11/09
I hope Sun can fight this  Li1t | 08/11/09
SGML Derivative  kyron.gustafson@... | 08/11/09
Every day it looks more like...  dbecker@... | 08/11/09
One wishes that Microsoft would invent  dbecker@... | 08/11/09
RE: Microsoft patents XML word processing documents  UngerJ | 08/11/09
Can you name a word processor?  kyron.gustafson@... | 08/11/09
AMIPRO...back in 1997! (NT)  No More Microsoft Software Ever! | 08/11/09
RTF, DOC & WPD - No XML  kyron.gustafson@... | 08/12/09
Star Office  criderja | 08/12/09
RE: Microsoft patents XML word processing documents  hmoulding@... | 08/11/09
Crazy confluence of lawyers  lschw1 | 08/11/09
Two little words...  jasonp@... | 08/12/09
RE: Microsoft patents XML word processing documents  the.marauder | 08/12/09
FYI - MS lost the case  butthen | 08/12/09
RE: Microsoft patents XML word processing documents  JeremyBoden | 08/15/09
Yes, and then....  jdickey | 08/15/09
the patent will not be up held on appeal  JamesMason15 | 09/04/09

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