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Lindows makes a dash for Microsoft escape
Launches renamed software to beat Dutch legal block

By Jo Best

Published: Wednesday 18 February 2004

Open-source reseller and thorn in the side of Microsoft, Lindows, has launched newly named software in an attempt to bypass the legal blocks barring it from selling in the Netherlands.

A recent trademark infringement case brought by Microsoft in the Netherlands resulted in Lindows being forced to temporarily cease selling its products to Dutch users, on the grounds the similarity in name between the Linux seller and the Redmond giant's operating systems violated branding law and might cause confusion for unsuspecting users.

To get round the naming issue, Lindows has launched Lin---s -- pronounced Lindash – it announced yesterday, which will see the desktop Linux product available over the internet at www.lin---s.com and via participating resellers.

Michael Robertson, CEO of Lindows.com, didn't miss an opportunity for a dig at its proprietary rival. "Dutch citizens deserve the same choices that are currently available to the citizens of more than one hundred countries around the world. Lindash ensures that the Netherlands will have affordable, virus-free options instead of just expensive Microsoft software," he said in a statement.