A judge in Texas has ruled in the patent dispute between Microsoft and i4i Inc over the XML file technology built into Word. The ruling has effectively banned Microsoft from selling Word in the US with 60 days to comply. This directly effects Microsoft’s Office suite which is one of the companies biggest earners and therefore an agreement is likely to come before the ban is enforced, especially as i4i relies on the Microsoft Office ecosystem to make it’s money. What it does mean, however, is that Microsoft is likely to have to write a big, fat cheque to i4i before an agreement is met. Ouch, I can already hear the bean counters sobs.

[Via Seattle PI via Mashable]

A patent application unearthed by Mac Rumours points to Apple implementing a true 3D virtual desktop. The rather detailed patent covers all sorts of ideas for creating a virtual 3D dimension in your standard desktop with attachment of program or file icons to the sides of the screen and 3D lighting effects showing influence over programs and documents. A real time physics engine is also included allowing icons to fall from the walls should they be displaced. I certainly would like to hurl something at the trash bin rather than just delete sometimes, it might be satisfying to see that piece of malware squelch against your virtual wall and slide into the bin. It’s interesting to note that with this much detail it is unlikely that this is just a flight of fancy from Cupertino and may very well see the light of day.

[Via Mac Rumors]