Office 2007 Key Microsoft sets Office's ribbon UI

So you're a software package developer and want your system to possess a shiny "ribbon" interface similar to Office 2007? Well, guess what--Microsoft patented the hell from it! This need to not surprise anybody. Yet, you can find beneficial news for builders, or several of them, not less than. Microsoft has announced that it's got "created a royalty-free licensing plan that will permit developers to construct applications which have the start looking and feel on the new 2007 Workplace program applications." The license is perpetual, meaning as soon as Microsoft grants you the license it cannot flip around and revoke or alter it later on. Still you'll find, as you may think about, some "guidelines" Microsoft desires you to observe when making your own ribbony apps, and they consider the kind of the 120-page document. Though the deal seems largely constructive for computer software developers, there may be 1 considerable catch: Microsoft will not license their ribbon UI patents for products that compete directly with Phrase,Office 2007 Key, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, or Access. This can be a wise transfer for Microsoft, but a bummer for your makers of competing programs who stand plenty to achieve from generating merchandise that seem and act similar to the dominant office suite inside the market.
It is possible to have a look at the press release and a canned interview about the new licensing system at the link above, but I heartily advocate you skip it and rather head around to Jensen Harris' blog. Harris is Microsoft's Group Program Supervisor for the Office UI and lays everything out in plain English. He also links to a preview of the recommendations (it's important to indicator an NDA to obtain in the full 120-page document) and also a Channel nine video clip by which he talks to Microsoft laywer Judy Jennison in regards to the program.