Microsoft paid $20 million to protect one letter from Linux
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In the early 2000s, Lindows OS attempted to bridge Linux and Windows by running Windows apps through Wine on a Debian base, even selling pre-built PCs at Walmart. Microsoft sued over trademark infringement, but Lindows fought back by arguing 'Windows' was a generic term predating Microsoft's product. Unable to win outright, Microsoft paid $20 million to purchase the Lindows name in 2004, effectively burying it. The company rebranded as Linspire and still exists today, while Microsoft quietly shelved the Lindows trademark forever.
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Lindows wanted to fix a common Linux problem in the wildest way possibleMicrosoft takes Lindows to courtMicrosoft ends the feud by purchasing the Lindows name59.4K Impressions5 Comments