>From CNET (if you are in a hurry, skip to the bottom for a great retort):

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Microsoft sues Linux start-up over name 

Microsoft asked a court on Thursday to stop a Linux start-up from using a name the 
software giant contends infringes on the Windows trademark.  

The Redmond, Wash.-based software giant filed a motion with the U.S. Court for the 
Western District of Washington against Lindows <http://www.lindows.com/>, which is 
developing a version of the Linux operating system that will run popular applications 
written for Microsoft's Windows OS.  Microsoft contends the company, which plans to 
formally release its product next year, purposely is trying to confuse Lindows with 
Windows. The suit asks the court to order the start-up to stop using the Lindows name 
and also seeks unspecified monetary damages.  "We're not asking the court to stop the 
company from making their products," said Microsoft spokesman Jon Murchinson. "What 
we're saying is they should not use a name that could confuse the public and infringe 
on our valuable trademark."  Lindows is based on the Wine <http://www.winehq.com/> 
project, an open-source effort to mimic the commands that Windows programs use. The 
San Diego-based Lindows company was launched </news/0-1003-200-7630640.html> earlier 
this year by Michael Robertson, former CEO of digital music site MP3.com.  Robertson 
characterized the move as another attempt by Microsoft to thwart a viable threat to 
its Windows empire. 

"If they're alleging that people are going to be confusing Microsoft Corp. with 
Lindows.com, I think there's zero potential of that happening," he said. "If people 
are confused, just remember that we're not the convicted monopolist." 
---

For the full story, go to: 
http://investor.cnet.com/investor/news/newsitem/0-9900-1028-8246647-0.html?tag=dd.inv.dht.hed.0

Happy Holidays, and just from this one vendor's perspective: Linux for zSeries in 2002 
is looking better all the time!  

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