Slashdot Mirror
MS Asking Makers of 'Windows' Software To Rename
An anonymous reader writes "Today WebWereld is running a story (http://www.webwereld.nl/nieuws/13347.phtml) on Microsoft's attempts to stop other software makers from using 'Windows' in their names. Several software makers that are listed on the Lindows-list (http://www.lindows.com/lindows_home_list.php) have received a letter from Microsoft's lawyers. Basically Microsoft asks them to stop using the word 'Windows.' Windows Commander and Windows Spy have changed name as the result. Christian Ghisler (of Windows Commander) changed the name into Total Commander and Sureshot changed the name of Windows Spy into Farsighter.
Alexander Tchirkov of Windows Backup Wizard also received a letter from Microsoft, but he is not willing to change the name of his software, he tells WebWereld. 'I received a letter from attorneys Microsoft (SEED Intellectual Property Law Group) with the recommendation to change the program name into Backup Wizard for Windows(R).' Tchirkov says Windows is not a registered trademark in Russia."
The problem is that the word 'Windows' can be used for those transparent panes of glass. I suggest we rename them to "Gates Holes" as in The microsoft building has HUGE Gates Holes.
Joel "Windows" West
These people have it coming! :-)
Try NetBSD... safe,straightforward,useful.
I think the article plainly answered this question when they said:
"Microsoft heeft diverse makers van software met in de naam 'Windows' gevraagd om een andere naam te kiezen."
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Abortions for some, minature American flags for others! - Kodos
As any avid /.er knows already, we can from here on out refer to any incarnation of Windows (software, automotive, or building portal) as a "security hole."
"Dear ___,
Please cease and desist the use of the phrase "security hole" as this is a registered trademark of the Microsoft corporation. As is well known throught the international community, we make the biggest and best security holes, and wouldn't want people to confuse your small, easily fixable holes with our more presigious, gaping security holes (heretofore refered to as "new features" and/or "Outlook") in all of our software products.
Thank you for your time.
Friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies.
kYou gKnow, gI'm kGlad gMost kOpen gSource kDesktop gProgram kDevelopers gAre kPretty gOriginal kWhen gChoosing kTheir gProgram kNames.
If this stuff pisses everyone off, why doesn't everyone write to Microsoft instead of bitching on Slashdot? Bitching on Slashdot gets you nowhere.
Dear Microsoft.
Your product names are too ambiguios. Please change them now.
Signed,
Some angry slashdot reader.
That's what our emails look like to Microsoft. They could care less. At least on Slashdot we get karma points.
So what does the W stand for? :)
I amd the recipient of one of these letters. Here's the deal:
I was told to stop using the term Windows(tm) in conjunction with my home improvement project. I was informed that now I have to call the items openings especially in the wall of a building for admission of light and air that is usually closed by casements or sashes containing transparent material (as glass) and capable of being opened and shut .
This has put a real crimp in my dealings with my contractor. They think I'm crazy for using such a long phrase when a common word would suffice.
Is that insane, or what?
So one day I was sitting in my home-[censored due to patent infringement], counting my [censored] when all of the sudden I read this story on Slashdot telling me that my science [censored] infringes on their intellectual property rights. Obviously Microsofts lawyers [censored] in finding new ways to annoy people.
...
This story is stupid on so many levels, but I can't think of an adequate [censored] to describe it
-- Jim
The RIAA rushed to the artists' defense and had this to say: "Bug off".
A court battle of unprecedented magnitude and length is expected to follow as the two Titans square off.
Elsewhere in the news ...
- a worldwide shortage of lawyers is forecast for the next 5 years for obvious reasons
- Webster's dictionary is bracing itself for a legal battle with Microsoft for including some definitions of the word "Windows" other than "An inexpensive and secure computer operating system from the philanthropic people at Microsoft (All praise Microsoft!) that should by law be the only operating system allowed on any computer".
- Home Depot has been requested by Microsoft stop advertising "We Sell Windows" and are evaluating a suggestion from Microsoft that they instead advertise "Well Sell Transparent or Semi-Transparent Glass Coverings for Holes Often Found In The Sides of Buildings and Other Structures That Usually Allow The Passage Of Some Degree Of Light"
Sigs are bad for your health.
When can we expect Y Windows to be released?
Don't we have it already? Everytime I see a Windows PC I ask myself "Y Windows?"
He saw some dirty arabs and fired. Too bad it was just some friendly kurds, BBC reporters and his fellow cowboys.
That's not a joke. The window industry's trade association is called the National Fenestration Rating Council.