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How Microsoft Takes a Name

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the wow-thats-just-slimey dept.

An anonymous reader writes "According to a report in the "Seattle Post-Intelligencer," the Windows Defender name was already being used by an Australian developer, Adam Lyttle. His Windows Defender product protected Windows users from malicious Web sites. Adam Lyttle told the Post-Intelligencer's Todd Bishop that Microsoft contacted him a month ago, charging him with infringing on the Windows trademark but neglecting to mention that the software giant wanted to use the "Windows Defender" name. Lyttle subsequently signed over rights to the name to Microsoft and was "shocked" when he later learned the company intended to use the name for one of its own products. "

5 of 600 comments (clear)

  1. Um... by TheSpoom · · Score: 5, Insightful

    He signed away his rights to the name. What did he expect?

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  2. Re:Hmm by petabyte · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Well, what rubs me the wrong way is that "Windows" is trademarked. Does Coke have the trademark on "One" or on "Coke One"? (I honestly don't know). I don't know about you, but when I think Windows, I think of those big glass things in the wall.

    What if he had made that blast retardant stuff for glass windows. The stuff that keeps the windows from shattering in an explosion. Would that still have left him needing to give up the name? Now, if he had called it Microsoft Windows Defender that'd be another story.

    In the end, its probably still not worth the legal fees.

  3. Why does Windows need a defender? by Munta · · Score: 5, Insightful
    While Microsoft may be right in enforcing its trademark, the question that is important is "why Window needs a defender?". If Windows was stable and secure like other operating systems, then the issue of trademark of Windows Defender would never come into question.

    This is Microsoft shooting its self in the foot again as it just highlights how much their operating systems are missing

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  4. Another one for the record books by PacketScan · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You don't sign a contract until a lawyer has looked at it. Of course MS will give themselves the upper hand.. Silly Wabbit.

  5. Best joke in a while by flyinwhitey · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "He expected that Microsoft was acting in good faith..."

    ROFL

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