Local computer system builder TVR Computers will continue selling Lindows systems despite a European setback for its principal.
Microsoft has been granted a preliminary injunction against Lindows in the Netherlands, based on "infringement of the Windows trademark".
TVR CEO Norman Baartman says his company will continue to directly import and sell Lindows systems, even though it expects trouble from Microsoft. The only thing stopping it from doing so at this point is incompatibilities between Lindows and certain third-party peripherals. The company has sold some Lindows products, but has for the time being stopped doing so until incompatibilities have been resolved.
"We can sell complete systems, and they`ll work. It`s when people add their own peripherals that problems may arise.
"We`re putting it on the backburner for a while. Lindows was built for the US market, and there are no issues with the US Robotics and HPs of the world, but with the explosion of other makers of modems, printers and the like, as well as the huge variety of chipsets, it will take some time before it offers compatibility for all drivers."
Baartman says Far East vendors won`t take long to see the potential of Lindows and Linux in general, and will in time offer Lindows support in their drivers.
Not scared
Baartman says there have been court successes for Lindows too. "Microsoft will obviously harass any new Lindows presence, wherever it launches, and we expect uphill as well. But world courts have different interpretations of these issues, and we`ll keep running with it."
He adds that Lindows is "keen to help" with any issues its local agents may encounter, and says Lindows is doing well in regions like Japan and Spain, despite its Dutch setbacks.
The decision by the Amsterdam District Court ordered Lindows.com "to cease and desist from the infringement of...the Windows trademark..."
A Microsoft spokesperson quoted by eWeek said: "Our concern is only about the Lindows name, not Linux per se. We only want Lindows to change its name."
Microsoft is also pursuing Lindows because of jurisdiction issues. "One of the fundamental rules of trademark law is that if you don`t act to protect a trademark, you lose it," the spokesperson said.
In the US, where Microsoft was unable to obtain an injunction, Microsoft is taking Lindows.com to trial on 1 March in a Seattle court.
Lindows is punted as a "low-cost, easy-to-use OS that is compatible with Windows file formats". The latest version comes standalone as well as system-bundled. It also offers Sun Microsystems` StarOffice, and free download access to a library of software. The service is called Click `N Run and allows users to "install hundreds of software programs, including games, MP3 software and graphics programs".
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