The Strange History of Linux and Trademarks (Tux Deluxe) [LWN.net]

The Tux Deluxe site has a history of trademark-related hassles with an emphasis on the Mobilix case. "Over the years Linux International has spent over $300,000 defending the Linux trademark, $250,000 of which has come from maddog's own pocket. In 2005 maddog founded the Linux Mark Institute, with support from Linus Torvalds, with the objective of protecting the Linux mark for the community and against the prospectors of the future."

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Linux and Trademarks

Posted Mar 29, 2007 8:44 UTC (Thu) by ldo (subscriber, #40946) [Link]

Disappointing how often it is that he who has the deepest pockets wins ...

But one clarification: the Lindows issue was not settled entirely out of court. Microsoft were able to get one judgement in their favour, in Holland. That probably encouraged Lindows/Linspire to give in.

Microsoft and Lindows/Linspire

Posted Mar 29, 2007 12:49 UTC (Thu) by pr1268 (subscriber, #24648) [Link]

"...Microsoft settled out of court, and gave Lindows, now known as Linspire, $20 million in compensation. In return Lindows surrendered its name, but also gained acres of free publicity at the expense of Microsoft."

Expense? I doubt it. $20 million barely puts a dent in Microsoft's petty cash account! I totally agree with you, ldo - Microsoft can (and usually does) buy its way out of legal trouble no matter what theater of litigation it has been dragged into. Look no further back in time than Comes v. Microsoft.

Many thanks to Jon for the enlightening (yet disturbing) article. I had no idea that Maddog personally footed the bill for Linux™ trademark protection to the tune of $250,000.

<jaded sarcasm>At the rate we're going half of the Oxford English Dictionary will be trademarked in twenty years.</jaded sarcasm>