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Legal Issues

by Mike Masnick

Fri, Dec 21st 2001 12:59am





Microsoft Sues Lindows

from the bad-Lindows,-bad dept

Well, that didn't take long at all. Microsoft is suing Lindows for trademark violation. Lindows, of course, is the Michael Robertson company that is coming out with a modified version of Linux with Wine, to allow users to easily run Windows-based programs. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. I can see why Microsoft is suing, though, I really doubt that Lindows is going to confuse to many people into thinking it's a Microsoft supported project. The only thought here is the conspiracy theory that Microsoft is working on their own Linux distribution and want the name back for themselves - but that's just my delusional brain making stuff up.

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  1.  
    identicon
    Tech 'n Artist, Dec 21st, 2001 @ 6:39am

    They may have a case

    I have no love lost for MicroSoft, although my friend who works in computer security really appreciates them.

    Anyway, while it sounds like satire or a play on words, MicroSoft may have a case that the business currently known as Lindows may be infringing on the Windows brand name. But then I am not a lawyer and am only offering a bit more than an opinion. This will will probably end up in the legal system and guess who has the deep pockets.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  2.  
    identicon
    Michael Armstrong, Dec 21st, 2001 @ 7:48am

    This isn't such a bad thing

    Lindows is a lame name anyways. They should just drop the name and come up with something better.

    Some suggestions: Surpass, ItWorks, Better, Washer. Mine are also lame but at least they're better than Lindows.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  3.  
    identicon
    Besotted, Dec 23rd, 2001 @ 10:45pm

    No Subject Given

    How well does "Lindows" work? No one has
    talked about that little detail. Also...
    How about basing the name on a type of
    fortified wine, to give the idea of "stronger
    than wine":
    cognac, sherry, port, madeira, malaga,...?

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  4.  
    identicon
    Techfusion, Jan 31st, 2004 @ 4:02pm

    Re: They may have a case

    Actually, the names "micro" and "soft" and "window" (singular, not "windowS") are copyrighted, so Microsoft isn't even using a copyrighted word with "windows". This appears to be another attempt by MS to squash their competitors. I've used Linux for years along with WINE (WINE doesn't even work that well) and I find Linux to be a much better OS, as it's "parent" UNIX has always been.

    Lindows is using the Debian distribution and KDE, both of which have been around for a long time. I recently started using Lindows and it's very easy to install and use. They've left WINE out for now as it doesn't work that well.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  5.  
    identicon
    osirisgothra, Jan 23rd, 2013 @ 12:20pm

    Only Another Reason Money is God

    This world is all about money. It always has been and always will be. Whenever there is a threat to any money-making organization there will always be swift "Justice". Microsoft has demonstrated that to us again and again. Nobody goes after the scout ant on the sidewalk, they spray the ants making off with the sugar coming out of the cupboard. My point is, nobody sues someone unless they have something to gain. Whether it's something now or thinking long term, usually it's the now, not the long term (scout ant) that gets the attention. Don't be fooled into thinking Microsoft "cares" about anyone. They like to make it look that way, while they are feeding the homeless in china, they are stabbing the starving "uni-merican(?)" small business owner's children in the back.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]


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