Review of Word patent case rejected

A request by Microsoft that a panel of judges review the decision to award Canadian software firm i4i $290m in damages has been denied by a federal court.

The news is the latest blow to Microsoft, which was found to have infringed on XML patents owned by i4i. Microsoft lost its case over patent infringement in its Word application suite and was forced to stop selling copies of Word using the technology.

"This has been a long and arduous process, but this decision is a powerful reinforcement of the message that smaller enterprises and inventors who own intellectual property can and will be protected," said Loudon Owen, chairman of i4i, in a statement.

Microsoft’s next move is uncertain but may involve an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Kevin Kutz, a Microsoft spokesman, released a statement saying: "We're disappointed with the decision. As far as next steps, we continue to believe there are important matters of patent law that still need to be properly addressed, and we are considering our options for going forward."