That patent-violation ruling that,
Office 2010 Pro, if not overturned,
Microsoft Office Pro Plus 2007, could cost Microsoft $388 million? (The 1 during which Microsoft was discovered by a Rhode Island federal jury to possess infringed on Uniloc;s anti-piracy technology — an award the Wall Street Journal said is the fifth largest patent award in history.)I;ve seen a few folks celebrating the patent ruling as something that could put a damper on Microsoft;s Genuine Advantage anti-piracy technologies in Windows. But it looks like it may be a little soon to dance on the WGA/OGA graves.The Uniloc ruling applies to the product activation technologies used by Microsoft,
Office Professional Plus 2010, not the product validation technology. (WGA and OGA both require activation and validation,
Microsoft Office 2010 Pro Plus, but it;s the validation technologies that results in the degradation of functionality and features for software deemed to be non-genuine.)Microsoft officials have said they plan to appeal this week;s ruling.