So you happen to be a computer software developer and want your program to have a shiny "ribbon" interface much like Office 2007? Well, guess what--Microsoft patented the hell from it! This should really not shock anyone. But, there's fine news for builders, or a number of them, not less than. Microsoft has introduced that it's got "created a royalty-free licensing system that could enable developers to construct programs which have the search and come to feel for the new 2007 Workplace program applications." The license is perpetual, meaning the moment Microsoft grants you the license it cannot flip all-around and revoke or transform it later on on. But there are, while you could possibly visualize, some "guidelines" Microsoft would like you to follow when creating your own personal ribbony apps, and they consider the kind of the 120-page document. Even though the deal sounds largely advantageous for application builders, there exists a single substantial catch: Microsoft would not license their ribbon UI patents for products and services that compete specifically with Term, Excel,
Office 2010 Product Key, PowerPoint, Outlook, or Access. It is a wise transfer for Microsoft, but a bummer for your makers of competing merchandise who stand tons to gain from creating products and solutions that appearance and act much like the dominant office suite in the market.
You can actually check out the press release as well as a canned interview about the new licensing system on the website link above, but I heartily suggest you skip it and instead head above to Jensen Harris' website. Harris is Microsoft's Group Program Manager for the Office UI and lays all the things out in plain English. He also links to a preview for the tips (you will need to indicator an NDA to acquire at the total 120-page document) along with a Channel 9 video in which he talks to Microsoft laywer Judy Jennison with regards to the system.