Microsoft deems 'linux' inappropriate
Rodney 26 comments
The latest anti-Linux swipe from Microsoft appears to be the disallowing any user names which include the word "Linux", on their online XBox multiplayer experience, XBox Live. Any attempt to use such names or tags results in the somewhat confusing reply "your motto contains inappropriate language. Please try again". Apparently, Microsoft deems the word "Linux" inappropriate.
Other inappropriate words include:
- LinuxRules
- L I N U X
- UNIX
- U N I X
- Pretty much anything to do with the competition, really...
This is really a pretty petty action to take, Microsoft. Almost looks like someone is a little scared and bitter?
Update: Microsoft have since claimed this is a copyright issue and the blocking of the use of "Linux" is simply the protection of copyrighted words. The language, "your motto contains inappropriate language", however, is probably inappropriate itself, in this case.
What if your name was 'linus'?
Rodney
Wednesday 5th September 2007 | 02:00 PMThen you're a no good dirty communist and you're not wanted!
Muzza
Wednesday 5th September 2007 | 02:49 PMWho would want 'Linux' in the username anyway? Bloody nerds! :P
I would like to know what happens when you attempt to use these names:
Firefox
Web Standards
Open Office
Rodney
Wednesday 5th September 2007 | 06:37 PM
Haha yeah - someone please try!
Also try things like:
Apple
Sun
Java
and anything else they're against...
What's the bet SCO is allowed?
Muzza
Wednesday 5th September 2007 | 10:03 PM
Did you guys read the article? :p
Apparently a trademark thing or something...i.e. Microsoft is also a banned word.
Seems they are just party-poopers!
Rodney
Wednesday 5th September 2007 | 11:00 PMNo, I don't buy that. I can see they would disallow abuse of their own name but the trademark thing is nonsense. It's an after the fact cover up, nothing more.
Muzza
Thursday 6th September 2007 | 12:21 AM
That's right...you can't buy it...M$ stuff is always too expensive! hahah
Thank heavens for MSDN subscriptions! ;)
Anyone else get the urge to punch an infant just now? How redonkulous is this? Very is the correct answer.
VintagePC
Monday 16th February 2009 | 04:22 AMRemember, first they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then all hell breaks loose...
jim sadler
Monday 16th February 2009 | 05:07 AMAnd Microsoft wonders why they pay billions in law suits over their efforts to harm other businesses. I hope some ambitious lawyers can grab this ball and run for the goal post. It is way past the time when this sort of sewage can be spewed by Microsoft or any other company.
Linux user
Monday 16th February 2009 | 11:54 AM
Your links point to nothing. I don't mind the anti-MS outlook but back your story up.
...in response to this comment by Linux user. Note the date this was written...links sometimes die.
tacobeetle
Monday 16th February 2009 | 11:43 PMI hate to be a boner here but it is a Microsoft console, and frankly they can do whatever they want with it. There is no way to sue them, and no way to get retribution because you can't use a few names (however normal they may be). It seems very plausable that is is a copyright issue and they're just protecting the interest of their company, employees, and shareholders in the same way that every other company does. Long gone are the days of customer satisfaction over indiscriminately small profit gains (if any from something like this). So am I to be mad at Microsoft for not allowing the names of competing product to be used in their own products? No, I am glad to see a corporation that has enough oversight to find potential problems and solve them before they become lawsuits (granted that Microsoft still has A LOT of problems). I'm not bashing competing companies to Microsoft here (as I type this from my UBUNTU laden ThinkPad), Im just giving a view of the other side. Take this with a grain of salt if you want.
Giggolo
Tuesday 17th February 2009 | 11:35 AMMicrosoft really does suck, the bottom line they want to control the internet, and the freedom to choose. Death to Microsoft, and there virus prone, unstable OS. Many thanks to all the people and developers who support open source.
Gong
Tuesday 17th February 2009 | 04:10 PM
they are spending time and money trying to compete with something that is free
what does that say?
Holy crap.
Thats realy hard.
Arjo
Sunday 22nd February 2009 | 09:48 PMSomeone should create a virus which would uninstall all your ms products and install opensource instead xD
Simon
Saturday 7th March 2009 | 11:32 AM
Oh, for fuck's sake.
1) This is not news. You're all commenting on an article that's one and a half years old.
2) Learn the basics of trademark law. http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/tac/tmlaw2.pdf
3) Before you post a comment, read it out loud. Notice how you sound like a moron? Yeah, so does the rest of the internet.
Microsoft
Wednesday 25th March 2009 | 08:32 AMWhat the Fuck Tell Bill To Chill or Leave the hill
Skrapasor
Saturday 28th March 2009 | 01:12 PMWhat happens if you try to use a gamertag like "Freedom" ?
BBB
Monday 30th March 2009 | 07:25 AM
The irony of this is that you need to have PURCHASED a MICROSOFT PRODUCT in order to have the right to be PREVENTED from using certain words for an account name. Anyone else smell the irony in THAT?
Kevin C
Tuesday 31st March 2009 | 08:52 AM
...in response to this comment
by Simon.
Rofl at #3 :D!
Saturday 7th March 2009 | 11:32 AM Simon
Oh, for fuck's sake.
1) This is not news. You're all commenting on an article that's one and a half years old.
2) Learn the basics of trademark law. http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/tac/tmlaw2.pdf
3) Before you post a comment, read it out loud. Notice how you sound like a moron? Yeah, so does the rest of the internet.
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