- "It seems like they were a little lax in their intellectual property due diligence - maybe because they're so big, maybe because they're so powerful, maybe because they feel they can do anything they want."

The quote comes from marketing communications consultant and university teacher James T. Berger, quoted in the Washington Post.

The topic? Bill and the Boyz have branded Longhorn with the name Windows Vista, and their decision is probably down to the third possibility offered by Berger.

Because Microsoft has already succeeded in making ‘word’ and ‘windows’ its own and now wants to corral vista, the vast number of other companies which have already done the same notwithstanding.

Does this mean a wave of Lindows-type lawsuits is looming, or could it be that Bill and the Boyz will soon become the victims of a tsunami started by companies that got there before it?

The Post has Microsoft spokeswoman Stacy Drake saying the company did its homework before it applied for a "Windows Vista" trademark in more than 100 countries.

“So far, Drake said Microsoft has received no complaints since it announced last Friday that it was letting go of Longhorn, the product development code name for the oft-delayed Windows update due out next year,” says the story.

But, adds the Post, the ceo of Redmond-based Vista Inc is already complaining that people have contacted his sales department with inquiries about Windows Vista.

"It's starting to disrupt our business," is quoted as saying. "We do nothing with Windows."

See:-
Washington Post - Microsoft Vista May Face Trademark Trouble, July 26, 2005
disrupt our business - Microsoft Vista is not alone, p2pnet, July 26, 2005