Lindows judge throws the book at MS

Zardon · May 17, 2002, 08:39 AM

Lindows is a c ock-a-hoop over a decision by a Seattle district court judge not to allow an injunction against the knock-off Linux distro.

That's because "windows" is a generic term, according to the Judge, denying the Microsoft motion. He cited evidence - including Microsoft's own dictionary of computing - to support the view that a window manager was already a generic term for a distinct class of software by the time Microsoft first announced Windows in late 1983.

At the time, computers running windowing systems were expensive and rare - the Apple Lisa was launched in January of that year - but the term itself had already been in widespread for some time.

One of the most curious facts highlighted by the case is that Microsoft only filed a trademark for "Windows" with the USPTO in 1990, seven years after the original announcement.

The judge's decision paves the way for a full trial in April next year.

By Andrew Orlowski in San Francisco

RadeonMAXX · May 17, 2002, 09:49 PM

Hahahahahaha, another one bites Gates on the ass.

May 17, 2002, 08:39 AM	#1
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	Lindows judge throws the book at MS Lindows is a c ock-a-hoop over a decision by a Seattle district court judge not to allow an injunction against the knock-off Linux distro. That's because "windows" is a generic term, according to the Judge, denying the Microsoft motion. He cited evidence - including Microsoft's own dictionary of computing - to support the view that a window manager was already a generic term for a distinct class of software by the time Microsoft first announced Windows in late 1983. At the time, computers running windowing systems were expensive and rare - the Apple Lisa was launched in January of that year - but the term itself had already been in widespread for some time. One of the most curious facts highlighted by the case is that Microsoft only filed a trademark for "Windows" with the USPTO in 1990, seven years after the original announcement. The judge's decision paves the way for a full trial in April next year. By Andrew Orlowski in San Francisco

May 17, 2002, 09:49 PM	#2
RadeonMAXX Made Man Join Date: May 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon USA! Posts: 275 Rep Power: 0	Hahahahahaha, another one bites Gates on the ass. __________________ WinXP Home Edition/ Service Pack 1 beta(build 1050) Athlon XP@1.4ghz Original Radeon 8500 - ATI CATALYST 2.1 IWiLL KK266 motherboard DirectX 9 beta 2 Download KaZaA now!! http://www.kazaa.com/en/index.php R300 "Crush the Force!" -Dave Orton, Ati President