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Lindows Takes a Hit in the Netherlands

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the taking-the-business-elsewhere dept.

diersing writes "The Register has the latest on it. Resellers of the Linux distribution Lindows in the Netherlands were ordered today to stop selling the product. Amsterdam judge Rullmann agreed with Microsoft that in many ways Lindows is 'profiting from the success of Windows' by infringing on Microsoft's trademarks." This seems to be a rather common occurrence lately.

3 of 354 comments (clear)

  1. It's not so bad by tobybuk · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Lots of people will get to hear 'Lindows' as a result of MS legal action who wouldn't have normally.

    As they say, all publicity is good publicity.

    I wonder what Michael's next trick will be.

  2. Point of the judgement by Riddles · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The whole point of the judgement is that the judge thinks that Microsoft has proven that Lindows chose the name Lindows because of its relation to Windows. And, since Windows is a registered trademark in the Netherlands, this is obviously an infringement. Remember, Windows in Dutch has no other meaning as it does in English; it is not a common word.

    Nobody can really claim that they chose Lindows for any other reason than the similarity to Windows. They could have chosen a lot of other cool names as Xandros and others have done. They didn't and they made the choice realizing that they might get into legal trouble for doing so.

  3. Re:Sure... by Mr.+Troll · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If they aren't trying to mimic MS Windows then why take a name so remarkably close to it? It is so totally obvious. Lindows is trying to ride on Ms's coat tails. The product may be totally different, but that isn't the point. Its just like that Panaphonics VCR, or that Magnetbox TV...

    Why not try "Linux ADVANCE OS" or something. Hell, Linux itself is becoming a buzzword now....

    --
    Kiss my shiny metal ass