I don't see Microsoft-* in this ancient word [LWN.net]

I don't see Microsoft-* in this ancient word

Posted May 13, 2004 20:53 UTC (Thu) by neoprene (guest, #8520)
Parent article: MS drags Linspire back to court (Register)

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=windows&x=24&y=6

One entry found for window.
Main Entry: win·dow
Pronunciation: 'win-(")dO
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English windowe, from Old Norse vindauga, from vindr wind (akin to Old English wind) + auga eye; akin to Old English Eage eye -- more at EYE
1 a : an opening especially in the wall of a building for admission of light and air that is usually closed by casements or sashes containing transparent material (as glass) and capable of being opened and shut b : WINDOWPANE c : a space behind a window of a retail store containing displayed merchandise d : an opening in a partition or wall through which business is conducted <a bank teller's window>
2 : a means of entrance or access; especially : a means of obtaining information <a window on history>
3 : an opening (as a shutter, slot, or valve) that resembles or suggests a window
4 : the transparent panel or opening of a window envelope
5 : the framework (as a shutter or sash with its fittings) that closes a window opening
6 : CHAFF 4
7 : a range of wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum to which a planet's atmosphere is transparent
8 a : an interval of time within which a rocket or spacecraft must be launched to accomplish a particular mission b : an interval of time during which certain conditions or an opportunity exists <a window of vulnerability>
9 : an area at the limits of the earth's sensible atmosphere through which a spacecraft must pass for successful reentry
10 : any of the areas into which a computer display may be divided and on which distinctly different types of information are displayed

(Log in to post comments)

I don't see Microsoft-* in this ancient word

Posted May 14, 2004 7:03 UTC (Fri) by jwharmanny (guest, #971) [Link]

You probably didn't know that English is not the native tongue in the Netherlands. Using an English dictionary to prove that "windows" is a normal word in a Dutch court case doesn't make much sense to me.
In the Dutch language, "windows" doesn't exist as a 'normal' word. That's why MS has every right to defend this trademark, in Dutch-speaking countries.

I don't see Microsoft-* in this ancient word

Posted May 14, 2004 14:25 UTC (Fri) by aotheoverlord (guest, #3993) [Link]

Ok, so what _do_ the Dutch call "any of the areas into which a computer display may be divided and on which distinctly different types of information are displayed" ?

I don't see Microsoft-* in this ancient word

Posted May 14, 2004 18:33 UTC (Fri) by dokhebi (guest, #14023) [Link]

If Microsoft gets away with a trademark of an English word in a non-English speaking nation. What is there to stop other companies from getting trademarks of words from languages in countries where that language is not the native language.

For example: Tokyo Pop (an US based company that translates Japanese comics, called "manga," for the US and Canada) trademarks the word "manga" in the US so all of the other publishers (Viz, Dark Horse, etc.) now have to pay royalties to them or stop using the word "manga" in their advertisements, and the book stores have to create new name plates for the section headers, etc.

It becomes chaos for the market place world wide. And once again, only the lawyers win in the long run. Maybe Shakespeare was right...