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Microsoft Forces wxWindows To Rename

Posted by timothy on from the next-stop-is-mr-andersen dept.

Peter Millerchip writes "Apparently Microsoft have forced wxWindows, the popular cross-platform C++ GUI library, to change its name to wxWidgets over the UK trademark of the seemingly generic word 'Windows.' Hot on the heels of the MikeRoweSoft.com incident, you have to wonder if their overactive legal team will be targetting double glazing manufacturers next?"

8 of 91 comments (clear)

  1. It's a better name anyway by ObviousGuy · · Score: 3, Funny

    Why associate with with Windows at all?

    With a little more imagination I bet they could come up with an even better name than wxWidgets.

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    I have been pwned because my /. password was too easy to guess.
  2. Re:This is retarded by Dr+Tall · · Score: 2, Funny

    Oh no, x is the variable I copyrighted for use in my programs. You cannot use such an infringing name in any program of yours!

  3. Re:This is retarded by PyromanFO · · Score: 2, Funny

    Only on Slashdot can we get 4 replies deep and still not get the joke :)

  4. You know your project is popular enough... by ion_ · · Score: 5, Funny

    when Microsoft is going to sue you for its name.

  5. Re:Prior Usage by mrdogi · · Score: 2, Funny

    Slightly OT, but I have a different use for WIMP, or more precisely WiMP. It's how I shorten Windows Media Player on my desktop when I'm in MS's Windows.

  6. Re:Prior Usage by Mr.+Piddle · · Score: 4, Funny


    Microsoft seems to be picking their battles poorly, lately. wxWindows, Xt (X Windows Toolkit), AWT (Java Abstract Window Toolkit), Sun's OpenWindows (still around to some extent), et. al. The only reason why they would single out wxWindows is that it is an interoperability toolkit, and we know just how much Microsoft loves interoperability.

    Here's an open letter to Microsoft:

    Dear Microsoft,

    Fuck you.

    Regards,
    The Free Market, Life, Liberty, and Happiness.

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  7. Re:Phew, it's hot in here by uncoveror · · Score: 2, Funny

    You may indeed. Check it out!

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  8. I'm sorry, you're not allowed to discuss that! by leonbrooks · · Score: 2, Funny
    Microsoft do, after all, have this Office(tm)(sm)(R)(C) component called Word(tm)(sm)(R)(C). There is now legally no such thing as "generic Word(tm)(sm)(R)(C)s". Nor are you allowed to have an Office(tm)(sm)(R)(C) of your own, nor are your own Works(tm)(sm)(R)(C) to Excel(tm)(sm)(R)(C) in any way. And woe betide the Publisher(tm)(sm)(R)(C) who complains. Here in Australia, we can't even plug in to a Power Point(tm)(sm)(R)(C) to run our computers to email complaints; we might have to revert to Americanisms like "wall socket" in Exchange(tm)(sm)(R)(C). The Outlook(tm)(sm)(R)(C) is getting grim.

    Find me a Microsoft lawyer, it's F/SWE time again! )-:

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