Windows Vista faces possible trademark challenges
{{date|July 26, 2005}}
[[File:Windows Vista logo.png|thumb|260px|right|Windows Vista logo]]
Microsoft, the world's largest software company, announced the name of its forthcoming version of the [[w:Windows operating system|Windows operating system]] from its headquarters in [[w:Redmond, Washington|Redmond, Washington]] Friday. But in choosing the name "Vista," Microsoft may find itself in a legal fight.

Microsoft has made a name for itself in legal circles as a company that fiercely defends its trademarks and other intellectual property. With the choice of "Vista," the tables may turn as it may face allegations of swiping another company's trademark.

It appears the Vista name has already been taken by another high-tech company, coincidentally also based in Redmond. A few miles from the sprawling Microsoft campus is [[w:Vista Incorporated|Vista Incorporated]], which has operated a small business internet interchange since it was founded by Wall Data founder, John Wall in 2000. He was surprised by his larger neighbor's move.

"We are going to consider our options and talk to Microsoft," Wall said in an interview with the ''Seattle Times''.  Wall reportedly has not yet filed suit against Microsoft to stop it from using the "Vista" name. An investor in [[w:SCO Group|SCO]], he does have other legal options aside from law suits. Instead, he may offer to sell the rights to the "Vista" name.

However, John Wall's company is not the only business with claims on the name "Vista." Many other tech companies use "Vista" as product names. Additionally, a wide-range of non-computer businesses have the name reserved, including branded products for sewing machines, elevators and the dairy industry.

== Related news ==
*{{Wikinews|title=Microsoft announces name of new version of Windows: Vista|date=July 26, 2005}}

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8715300/
|title=Could Microsoft be facing trademark troubles?
|author=
|pub=Associated Press
|date=July 26, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.techworld.com/applications/news/index.cfm?NewsID=4097
|title=Microsoft faces Vista trademark challenge
|author=Elizabeth Montalbano
|pub=IDG News Service
|date=July 26, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/3522816
|title=Un-neighborly Treatment?
|author=Tim Gray 
|pub=Internetnews.com
|date=July 25, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2140286/cloud-microsoft-vista
|title=Microsoft may have to alter Vista
|author=Iain Thomson
|pub=VNU Business Publications
|date=July 25, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://vista.com/page/5rr/About_Us.html
|title=About Us
|author=
|pub= Vista, Inc
|date= 1998-2005}}

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[[es:Microsoft podría enfrentar demandas por nombre del nuevo Windows]]
Windows Vista logo
Microsoft, the world's largest software company, announced the name of its forthcoming version of the Windows operating system from its headquarters in Redmond, Washington Friday. But in choosing the name "Vista," Microsoft may find itself in a legal fight.

Microsoft has made a name for itself in legal circles as a company that fiercely defends its trademarks and other intellectual property. With the choice of "Vista," the tables may turn as it may face allegations of swiping another company's trademark.

It appears the Vista name has already been taken by another high-tech company, coincidentally also based in Redmond. A few miles from the sprawling Microsoft campus is Vista Incorporated, which has operated a small business internet interchange since it was founded by Wall Data founder, John Wall in 2000. He was surprised by his larger neighbor's move.

"We are going to consider our options and talk to Microsoft," Wall said in an interview with the Seattle Times.  Wall reportedly has not yet filed suit against Microsoft to stop it from using the "Vista" name. An investor in SCO, he does have other legal options aside from law suits. Instead, he may offer to sell the rights to the "Vista" name.

However, John Wall's company is not the only business with claims on the name "Vista." Many other tech companies use "Vista" as product names. Additionally, a wide-range of non-computer businesses have the name reserved, including branded products for sewing machines, elevators and the dairy industry.
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