Microsoft's Use of 'Office Live' Disputed

1 March 2007

Microsoft’s Use of “Office Live” Disputed

A company called Office Live has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Microsoft over the
software giant's use of "Office Live" for its on-demand productivity tools.

Office Live, which runs sites such as Accountantsofficelive.com, Legalofficelive.com and
Realtorsofficelive.com, offers free professional advice to consumers and offers customer leads to
businesses. The company is seeking an injunction to prevent Microsoft from using the "Office Live"
name.

In November, Microsoft's internet-based business software, Office Live, became generally available
in the US, offering features such as customer management tools, email accounts and website
building and hosting.

Office Live, based in the Los Angeles area, registered the "Office Live" trademark in 2002. It
initially filed its lawsuit against Microsoft in December in US District Court in California but
agreed to withhold serving the suit to allow the companies to pursue settlement negotiations. 
Since then, talks have broken down and Office Live served their lawsuit earlier this month.

Waheedan Jariwalla