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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?"

1 of 91 comments (clear)

  1. Common Word Trade Marks by KilobyteKnight · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Microsoft has a habit of using generic terms as names for its products then trademarking them. I believe it purposely done for anti-competitive reasons. Had they not been declared a monopoly, it probably wouldn't be a problem. However, they were... why aren't people filing complaints about them co-opting common words?

    Mocrosoft's Naming System

    What should we call our...
    office suite: Office
    the word processor in it: Word
    disk operating system: DOS
    windowing operatind system: Windows
    flight simulator game: Flight Simulator
    media player: Media Player

    It makes you wonder if Bill Gates sues his neighbors for calling home their dog, "Come 'ere dog", since I'm sure that's what his dog is named.

    --
    When will Windows be ready for the desktop?