What kind of protection are you applying? It seems you're applying some that ought not be applied.

As for compatability mode, that's essentially an advisory notice Word provides for people using Word 2007 & later when working with files created by Word 2003 & earlier. It's of no consequence unless they want to start using features not supported by the earlier format.

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Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]