Microsoft pulls Word-related versions of Office from sale

Microsoft has withdrawn virtually all versions of its Office software in the US in accordance with a court order.

After a legal case lasting more than two years, a federal appeals court ruled three weeks ago that Microsoft had to remove a custom editing function in XML from all versions of Word ahead of today's deadline due to a patent infringement. In addition, it has to pay damages amounting to $240 million.

At the centre of the controversy is a 2007 claim by software developer firm i4i that Microsoft had illegally used its XML editing technology in developing Word 2007.

The court agreed eventually and an injunction followed barring sales of any versions of either Office 2007 or 2003 still containing the feature from today's date.

Now with the software giant having failed to comply in time, it is left with little choice but to temporarily suspend sales of Office until the matter is addressed.

Despite already having had a challenge to the ruling dismissed last month, Microsoft filed a second appeal on Friday in the hope of getting the ruling overturned.

At the time of the verdict three weeks ago, Microsoft boldly predicted it would have no problem culling Custom XML in time. However, at present nine of the 34 Office software products for sale to US consumers were labelled "Not Available", with no further explanation being offered on the Microsoft Store.

Among the products that did make the cut are all versions of Office 2007 for MSDN and TechNet subscribers.

The deadline only affects US versions of Office the suite is still available in the UK.