Lindows Announces Partial Relaunch

by Ulrika Lomas, for LawAndTax-News.com, Brussels

20 February 2004

Linux software firm, Lindows.com announced this week that it will relaunch as 'Lin---s' (pronounced 'Lin-dash') in Finland, Sweden, and the Benelux countries, where temporary injunctions have been granted against the company in its trade mark dispute with Microsoft.

Microsoft argues that the Lindows brand name is intended to confuse potential customers by suggesting that there is some kind of connection with Microsoft's Windows operating system.

However, despite its European victories, the US software giant last week suffered a setback on its home turf.

Ruling at Seattle's District Court last Tuesday, Chief District Judge John Coughenour suggested that the jury should consider the historical context of the use of the word 'windows' within graphical user interfaces, rather than just looking at its use within the Microsoft Windows framework.

Judge Coughenour additionally ruled that: "If the term is found to be generic it cannot be the subject of trademark protection under any circumstances."

Speaking this week with regard to the partial re-launch of his company's Linux-based operating system, Lindows.com founder and CEO, Michael Robertson explained that:

"Dutch citizens deserve the same choices that are currently available to the citizens of more than one hundred countries around the world. Lin-dash ensures that the Netherlands will have affordable, virus-free options instead of just expensive Microsoft software."

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