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Microsoft has warned that any ban on Word will not just harm it, but also the business of huge parts of the channel, according to CNN.
Last week, a Texan judge ordered an injunction on Microsoft Word after the Redmond-based company was found to have willingly infringed the patent of Canadian developer I4i.
The injunction prohibits Microsoft to sell, or allow the sale, of versions of Word that can open .XML, .DOCX or .DOCM files. The ban means both Microsoft Word 2003 and 2007 – and any software containing them, such as Office – cannot be sold in the US after October 10th.
However, Microsoft has warned the court that the injunction will have dire consequences for its vendor and reseller partners, including HP, Dell and Acer. It also highlighted the disproportionate impact it will have on its own business.
"If left undisturbed, the district court’s injunction will inflict irreparable harm on Microsoft by potentially keeping the centerpiece of its product line out of the market for months," Microsoft said in the court filing.
