Microsoft could face 'Vista' trademark challenge

Macworld ^ | July 25, 2005 | Elizabeth Montalbano

[softwarecreator]

Yeah, but for the name of a long awaited Windows® release.  {BLECH!}

[Panerai]

[softwarecreator]

Now THAT is what I tink of when I hear the name Vista ... ugly car ugly name!!!

[SeaBiscuit]

Windows is a real word too. What's that got to do with it, the guys software company is called Vista.

[Perdogg]

I heard that Microsoft will release a new version of Explorer and their own Portable Document Format program. What is going to happen to people with XP (v 2002)? Will it be functionally obsolete? Also, will Vista solve the Y-2036 problem?

[softwarecreator]

Do you REALLY, honestly think that MS knew about this little pissant company when they named it Vista, come on ... think about it ... they did not know.

Believe me, I think it was stupid for them not to find out and it is a horrid name ... but it was not ARROGANT of them ... just bad taste and stupidity.

[softwarecreator]

What's this about MS creating their own PDF format?  Does Adobe own the format?  If I was MS, I wouldn't do it, just more animosity that they really don't need.  Bad idea and a Public Relations nightmare.

[HereInTheHeartland]

"What kind of intelligent person would get this far down the road toward naming a product, without researching and resolving trademark disputes?"

For a hefty consulting fee I could do a web search of the Patent and Trademerk Office and give them a hint.

http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=doc&state=5rggko.3.2

[Perdogg]

Metro

Metro is the codename for Microsoft's next generation document format, which is based on XML. It is similar in many ways to Adobe Systems' PDF. Metro is intended to allow users to view, print, and archive files without the original program that created it. The name Metro also refers to the print path in Vista. With Metro, documents can remain in the same format from the time they are created to the time they are printed. Microsoft states that Metro will provide better fidelity to the original document by using a consistent format for both screen and print output.

While many analysts suspect Metro is intended to be a "PDF-killer", Microsoft insists that they are not attempting to duplicate all the functionality of the PDF. For example, at the time of this writing, Metro is not planned to have the capabilities for dynamic documents.

[tang-soo]

And in their own neighborhood of all places.

[SeaBiscuit]

Actually I think they are THAT arrogant. "Vista is headquartered just down the road from Microsoft and provides small businesses with online information systems. Also their website is, www.vista.com. IMHO, I do think MS knew about that company even though its small, but just didn't care.

[softwarecreator]

Oh okay, as usual they are the BIG ugly corporate bullies who do everything wrong.

MS goes thru this, GM went thru this, EXXON went thru this.  Some people just hate successful companies.    Same old, same old.

[perfect stranger]

Do you REALLY, honestly think that MS knew about this little pissant company when they named it Vista, come on ... think about it ... they did not know.

I'd hope somebody gets fired over something stupid like this.

There's something called a trademark search, not to mention just a simple internet search.

Q: Why did they need to change from longhorn in the first place? Did feminist groups protest over the name or something?

[softwarecreator]

Thanks for the info.  Now this is one area where I disagree with MS.  Why do it?  No need.  This is gonna come back and bite them right in the a$$.

[softwarecreator]

I'd hope somebody gets fired over something stupid like this

I agree, it was stupid and someone did not do their job.  MS should have known better than this, I mean, come on, somewhere there HAD to be a company called Vista!!

[Mad Mammoth]

I think Microsoft should call their new OS "Acme". It no doubt is going to perform at a level Wile E. Coyote has come to expect from his many purchases of fine Acme products.

[Nachoman]

No problem. MS can just buy Vista, Inc., cherry pick its talent and close their doors.

[SeaBiscuit]

No, I have nothing against MS, or any successful business, more power to them because its good for the country, Please don't jump to conclusions. I just happen to think that Bill Gates can be arrogant and controlling, it shows in the OS itself.

[softwarecreator]

As a looong time MS user (back in the very early DOS days), I can honestly say I am NOT looking forward to this "Longhorn" thing.

Enough is enough ... improve XP and W2K and realease them as free, or low cost upgrades ... I am SICK of full blown new OS releases every 2 or 3 years.

[softwarecreator]

I just happen to think that Bill Gates can be arrogant and controlling

Saying things like this can easily make someone "jump to the conclusion" that you have something against MS.

My bad.