Microsoft seems to have stolen Ubuntu logo

[IYY]

The Ubuntu logo is much cooler.

[LanceM]

Strikingly similar? I am suprised they didn't use the same colors to make it exact.
Yes, the Ubuntu logo is much cooler - it's original.

[Sirin]

Of course it's a ripoff. It was confirmed in the MSN.Blog back in November. ;)

[pbaehr]

I know for sure I wouldn't want to face off against the MS legal department, right or not!

[AndrewCaul]

Of course it's a ripoff. It was confirmed in the MSN.Blog back in November. ;)
Link, please?

[akiro.yamamoto]

That really bites...... :evil:
But I guess we can consider it a form of Flattery ;)

[Joshuwa]

The circle and a form of 3 are perhaps the most common logo elements ever.

It's no surprise that a simialr combination of these can be seen in use by two different groups; infact, I bet a good search would yeild 100+ varations of the design.

The good news: It's so common because it is so simple, and nothing is as great as simplicity.

[SkimWear]

Ubuntu's logo rocks. You can look at it in many perspectives and still looks great.

[TylerH]

MS seems to be honing their ripping off skills. Anyone ever say the word "myspace" and have to explain to someone that no, you don't mean "MSN MySpace".

canned reply

hey Mandla. I got a good laugh out of the term "canned reply"

[i3dmaster]

Im just curious since I don't know if there are any policies for using this logo. I saw it on spaces.msn.com and it just looks so close.

[zapcojake]

Looks stolen to me somebody should complain.

[izmaelis]

This was discussed several times. For example: here (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=102692&highlight=stolen+logo) and there (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=35945&highlight=stolen+logo).

[taurus]

So old news and should be in Ubuntu Cafe...

[bored2k]

Discussed.

[barsanuphe]

I was travelling around in St-Emilion, which is a little town near Bordeaux mainly known for its famous wines, but also turned out to be a very pleasant place to visit.
Among other things, you can visit the catacombs, which were dug out by monks around the 9th century and filled by them shortly thereafter.
At that time, the only access point to the catacombs was through a hole in the ceiling which communicated with the surface. That was through that hole that bodies were taken down, and hopefully, they passed it again on their way up to heaven.
When youre down inside the catacombs, heres what said hole in the ceiling looks like when you look up:

http://boustiflette.free.fr/stemilion-ubuntu.jpg

Either these 9th century monks liked ubuntu so much they decided to advertise to their dead, or mark shuttleworth is a thief.

[æþeling]

Or, the two have completely nothing to do with each other besides the general idea of 3 people holding hands.

[Kimm]

æþeling, I secund that

[barsanuphe]

you know, i wasnt seriously considering thievery.

however, "Or, the two have completely nothing to do with each other besides the general idea of 3 people holding hands."

well, the ubuntu logo is 3 people holding hands in a circle, you cant say that this sculpture of three people holding hands in a circle has nothing to do with it.

it was just weird to see the same symbol ive associated with ubuntu at the botton of a catacomb.

[matthew]

Either these 9th century monks liked ubuntu so much they decided to advertise to their dead, or mark shuttleworth is a thief.Great picture. Since I presume you are saying the second half of your phrase tongue in cheek I vote for the time travel option: the 9th century monks visited the 21st century and liked what they saw so much they took the logo home with them to their own time.

[matthew]

you know, i wasnt seriously considering thievery.

however, "Or, the two have completely nothing to do with each other besides the general idea of 3 people holding hands."

well, the ubuntu logo is 3 people holding hands in a circle, you cant say that this sculpture of three people holding hands in a circle has nothing to do with it.

it was just weird to see the same symbol ive associated with ubuntu at the botton of a catacomb.:) I believe you, and it's pretty weird and cool all at the same time.

[kwaanens]

Look at spaces.msn.com (http://spaces.msn.com/), and then we can talk thievery...

- Ketil

[barsanuphe]

Look at spaces.msn.com (http://spaces.msn.com/), and then we can talk thievery...

- Ketil

thats because microsoft travelled back in time, and stole the logo from the 9th century time-travelling monks. ubuntu looks to the future.

[ubuntu_demon]

funny pic :)

[BoyOfDestiny]

Upon closer inspection, you'll find their hands are really finger tips to finger tips. At least on the right side of the picture. That is different enough.

Besides, they didn't file for copyright protection or patents, so it's fair game. Just like architecture, technology, and medicine, before western culture decided you could "own" ideas. We wouldn't have gotten very far... No, you can't build columns... :P Is that an arch, we are going to sue :P

Also, the ubuntu logo doesn't seem to have faces or hands either... Oh well...

[Lovechild]

Ubuntu - Linux for monks

[Stormy Eyes]

Either these 9th century monks liked ubuntu so much they decided to advertise to their dead, or mark shuttleworth is a thief.

You can't steal from the dead.

[Biltong (Dee)]

Great picture. Since I presume you are saying the second half of your phrase tongue in cheek I vote for the time travel option: the 9th century monks visited the 21st century and liked what they saw so much they took the logo home with them to their own time.

Someone call Michael Crichton. He can use an 'Ubuntu Monk time-travelling' slant for his next book!

[barsanuphe]

You can't steal from the dead.

yes you can, and its actually way easier. you dont have to put up with all the fuss and the cries and the "that's not my will, why do you want me to sign it?" and the "oh my god why are you pushing me down the stairs" and everything.
people do it all the time.

[Kvark]

Thats kinda cool. The pic might make a good wallpaper to combine with Ubuntu's brown or orange themes. It's not surpricing though, I bet 3 people in a circle is a common idea.

Do you know what these monks used as their trademark, emblem or flag? Did they use these 3 people in a circle or something else?

If that was actually their trademark and not just one sculpture then yes it looks alomst like Ubuntu is impersonating the monks. Well, almost, I think it's different enough to avoid confusing the two.

[barsanuphe]

Thats kinda cool. The pic might make a good wallpaper to combine with Ubuntu's brown or orange themes. It's not surpricing though, I bet 3 people in a circle is a common idea.

Do you know what these monks used as their trademark, emblem or flag? Did they use these 3 people in a circle or something else?

If that was actually their trademark and not just one sculpture then yes it looks alomst like Ubuntu is impersonating the monks. Well, almost, I think it's different enough to avoid confusing the two.

from what i understand that symbol was limited to that place, it was supposed to represent the holy trinity and the hope for resurrection. keep in mind that the hole in the center was the only way in or out of the catacombs, so when you resurrect you go right in the middle up to the surface and then heaven.

[barsanuphe]

The pic might make a good wallpaper to combine with Ubuntu's brown or orange themes.

i have the higer res original pic if you want.

[ubuntu_demon]

i have the higer res original pic if you want.
can you put it online somewhere ? I'm curious :)

[MenZa]

/me reports to trademarks@ubuntu.com (not seriously, damnit!) ;)

[RavenOfOdin]

How much farther back do we want to go, guys?
Are we going to steal the new Kubuntu logo from Christ?

[barsanuphe]

ok well heres full original version (4Mb+):

http://boustiflette.free.fr/stemilion-ubuntu_full.jpg

unfortunately its not really sharp or well focused; keep in mind this was taken in a catacomb (difficult to have less light) and there was a bunch of tourists around me who wanted my spot to watch the hole before the group had to go away with the guide.
if you gimp it into something better let me know.

[awakatanka]

In that time everything was opensource so its a opensource logo :---)

[ubuntu_demon]

ok well heres full original version (4Mb+):

http://boustiflette.free.fr/stemilion-ubuntu_full.jpg

unfortunately its not really sharp or well focused; keep in mind this was taken in a catacomb (difficult to have less light) and there was a bunch of tourists around me who wanted my spot to watch the hole before the group had to go away with the guide.
if you gimp it into something better let me know.
What's the shiny black thing in the middle of the hole ?

[barsanuphe]

What's the shiny black thing in the middle of the hole ?

my guess is that hole leads to a room carved into the rock with an opening hence the light.
the city is built upon caves that were dug out. Mainly for wine storage purposes. But not only. Next to the catacombs, theres the second biggest church carved into the rock. quite strange actually.

[Biltong (Dee)]

Wow, great shot - it the closest some of us will ever get to being there, so thanks!

[barsanuphe]

Wow, great shot - it the closest some of us will ever get to being there, so thanks!

yeah, well, I figured not many people on this board would have already visited the catacombs of St-Emilion. Which is a shame, really. You should try to visit the southwestern part of France before its completely bought out by retired English people.

[woedend]

yeah i don't understand...it appears to have like at least 3 holes...one at the top, obviously one to the right, perhaps a couple others? That is a shot of the ceiling right..not the floor? Looks cool.
anyways, I agree it would make an excellent default wallpaper, but maybe fill in the hole with a golden vortex like shape with a small ubuntu symbol where the top hole is. JMHO
thanks for the shots though, if you get anymore please post i love that stuff.

[barsanuphe]

yeah i don't understand...it appears to have like at least 3 holes...one at the top, obviously one to the right, perhaps a couple others? That is a shot of the ceiling right..not the floor? Looks cool.
[..]
thanks for the shots though, if you get anymore please post i love that stuff.

yeah its the ceiling. Actually upon closer inspection they might have built a house or something on top of the hole. they had a habit of built on top of hollow caves there. you know the second biggest carved out church i was telling you about? well they built a whole church on top of that. since the rock is pretty weak, they recently had to reinforce the pillars in the carved out one, to prevent the whole thing from collapsing.

and i did take another shot while i still could:

http://boustiflette.free.fr/stemilion-ubuntu-detail_full.jpg

by then the group had gone to another room and since being alone in a freezing dark humid catacomb is not something i wanted to try, i had to go.

edit: changed the link to url not img to prevent innocent bystanders from downloading a 4mb+ jpg

[cmaxter]

hahahahahah oh, wonder why they couldn't make it a hygrid debian crossed with ubuntu and call it regula ("rule")

[cmaxter]

debian, ubuntu and beans could equal regula mmm yummy

[barsanuphe]

what?

[barsanuphe]

yeah i also took this one, which is mostly like the first one but taken upside down.

there (http://boustiflette.free.fr/stemilion-ubuntu-2_full.jpg).

[NESFreak]

Does someone recognize this logo?
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=9832&stc=1&d=1148308031

Found it in a hotmail mail about messenger live.

[-Rick-]

After it has been posted a 55 other times, yes I can dream it ;)

[fuscia]

maybe the ubuntu logo is under GPL.

[Jucato]

Well, I think it's pretty obvious to us where that concept came from. Anyone checked Canonical's/Ubuntu's trademarks on the logo?

And has M$ changed its official colors from the 4 colors to 3?

[warp99]

ubuntu's design and dress are trademarked. Check this page on the issue:

http://www.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/TrademarkPolicy?highlight=%28trademark%29

I sent an email to Canonical pointing to this thread. 8)

[warp99]

That logo looks like an icon representation of this photo:

http://www.ubuntu.com/include/circle-510.png

I think there is a possibility of a trademark infringement, but I'm not an attorney. :???:

[Jucato]

wow, that was fast :D
I'm gonna check my hotmail in case I also received something like it.

But I wonder how they'll argue this out. I've seen "modified" Ubuntu logos on different localized Ubuntu sites. But then again, they're directly related to Ubuntu.

[warp99]

But I wonder how they'll argue this out. I've seen "modified" Ubuntu logos on different localized Ubuntu sites. But then again, they're directly related to Ubuntu.

I beleive the standard is if a reasonable person(s) would be confused by the trademark then infringement would have incurred. I'm not sure if that standard had been met under U.K. or U.S. law. :-k

[Jucato]

Hmm... has anyone found any other link/image of that logo that NESFreak received? I'm trying to find other sites that have it so that Canonical would have more info on it, just in case they browse through this thread.

[Kvark]

maybe the ubuntu logo is under GPL.
No. GPL is a copyright licence. You can open source copyrighted works because even if everyone uses it everyone will still have the work.

The Ubuntu logo is trademarked. That means it represents the identity of Ubuntu. You can't open source identity because if everyone started using the same logo for everything then the logo would become meaningless and not represent the identity of any specific product anymore.


But I think the specific logo discussed here is different enough from Ubuntu's logo to avoid confusion. It just happens to be based on the same concept of 3 people holding hands. No matter what concept you base a logo on there will be other logos that come from the same concept. If Ubuntu's logo was based on for example an U then there would be other logos that are based on an U too.

[Jucato]

Well, it may or may not be different from Ubuntu's logo.
Similarities: 3 people holding hands, 3 color scheme, exactly the same angle, bird's eye view.
Dissimilarities: logo is in 3D, and the 3 people are either all women with skirts, or men with big tummies, or women with big tummies, or maybe all of the above.

But seriously, the similarities far outweigh the differences to say that only the "concept" is the same. Granted this really came from MS (still having a hard time finding other references to it), given MS' history, given the rising publicity of Ubuntu (especially with Sun), what would people think?

Btw, MS could have easily made it for people with 4 colors corresponding to the 4-color scheme of MS.

[warp99]

But I think the specific logo discussed here is different enough from Ubuntu's logo to avoid confusion. It just happens to be based on the same concept of 3 people holding hands.

That's not the case with trademark infringement or trademark dillution:

"A trademark is a word, symbol, or phrase, used to identify a particular manufacturer or seller's products and distinguish them from the products of another. 15 U.S.C. § 1127. For example, the trademark "Nike," along with the Nike "swoosh," identify the shoes made by Nike and distinguish them from shoes made by other companies (e.g. Reebok or Adidas). Similarly, the trademark "Coca-Cola" distinguishes the brown-colored soda water of one particular manufacturer from the brown-colored soda of another (e.g. Pepsi). When such marks are used to identify services (e.g. "Jiffy Lube") rather than products, they are called service marks, although they are generally treated just the same as trademarks."

"In addition to bringing an action for infringement, owners of trademarks can also bring an action for trademark dilution under either federal or state law. Under federal law, a dilution claim can be brought only if the mark is "famous." In deciding whether a mark is famous, the courts will look to the following factors: (1) the degree of inherent or acquired distinctiveness; (2) the duration and extent of use; (3) the amount of advertising and publicity; (4) the geographic extent of the market; (5) the channels of trade; (6) the degree of recognition in trading areas; (7) any use of similar marks by third parties; (8) whether the mark is registered. 15 U.S.C. § 1125(c). Kodak, Exxon, and Xerox are all examples of famous marks. Under state law, a mark need not be famous in order to give rise to a dilution claim. Instead, dilution is available if: (1) the mark has "selling power" or, in other words, a distinctive quality; and (2) the two marks are substantially similar. Mead Data Central, Inc. v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., 875 F.2d 1026 (2d Cir. 1989)."

http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/metaschool/fisher/domain/tm.htm#1

Because Ubuntu and Microsoft are in the same industry a trademark which is similiar but not an exact copy can still be an infringement. Once again the standard is if a reasonable person(s) would be confused by the trademark. Also you have the issue of dillution of the trademark even if the industries are not similiar.

I'm not an attorney, but it looks to me that the logo may fall into one of the catergories under U.S. trademark law. :-?

[fuscia]

No. GPL is a copyright licence...etc.

thanks for the explanation, but i was just joking. sorry to put you through the trouble.

[Kvark]

thanks for the explanation, but i was just joking. sorry to put you through the trouble.
Ah ok, thats a relief. I kinda expected and hoped you'd be joking but I had to reply just in case cause open source identity would be too crazy.

[NESFreak]

Hmm... has anyone found any other link/image of that logo that NESFreak received? I'm trying to find other sites that have it so that Canonical would have more info on it, just in case they browse through this thread.

goto http://spaces.msn.com/ cant miss it

[warp99]

Got a response from Canoncial thanking me for informing them. They are going to look into the issue and take action if needed. :cool:

[RAV TUX]

Does someone recognize this logo?
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=9832&stc=1&d=1148308031

Found it in a hotmail mail about messenger live.

The first time I saw this either earlier this year or late last year the first thing I thought of was they knocked off Ubuntu's logo.






http://elevagemo.free.fr/emoticones/animaux/animo21.gif

[professor_chaos]

http://ubuntuforums.org/gallery/files/1/4/2/5/4/ubindows.gif

[pochu]

Microsoft has copied Ubuntu logo in its msn spaces webpage. Or at least it looks like Ubuntu one.

You can see it here:
http://spaces.msn.com/signup.aspx

What do you think

P.D.: Sorry for my English :(

[bruce89]

I think this has been posted before...
But, yes they have nicked it!

[frenkel]

Microsoft has copied Ubuntu logo in its msn spaces webpage. Or at least it looks like Ubuntu one.

You can see it here:
http://spaces.msn.com/signup.aspx

What do you think

P.D.: Sorry for my English :(
You're not the first one to post this...

[xyz]

Microsoft has copied Ubuntu logo in its msn spaces webpage. Or at least it looks like Ubuntu one.

You can see it here:
http://spaces.msn.com/signup.aspx

What do you think

P.D.: Sorry for my English :(
Hi-
I guess MS needs help...LOL!!

[curuxz]

How many £%£$^%£ times will this be posted. I believe this is the 9th time. Why cant people just use the search function on the forum.

As ubuntu has said before, it is aware, and in cases where it believes trade mark infringment to have gone on it will act.

[pochu]

You're not the first one to post this...

Sorry!

[dvarsam]

Ok, lets see:

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i58/dvarsam/Ubuntuvs.png

Outcome:

NO!!!!!

They are SO totally different...!!!
:-\"
=D>
:roll:
:D

[Stormy Eyes]

My cat thinks they're different, but he's not a lawyer.

[BWF89]

I think this has been posted before...
I think this has been posted 10 million times before. Can a mod make a sticky telling people not to post it or like mabye add it into the forum rules?

EDIT: Ubuntu's logo atleast looks cool, Microsoft's looks like a bunch of fat people playing ring around the rosey.

[Kilz]

EDIT: Ubuntu's logo atleast looks cool, Microsoft's looks like a bunch of fat people playing ring around the rosey.

LOL
Lets hope they all fall down!

[bruce89]

They have the same position of "heads" and "arms", mind you it's not as if MS ever have had an original idea!

[dvarsam]

Dear "bwf89",

Regarding your comments:

I think this has been posted 10 million times before. Can a mod make a sticky telling people not to post it or like mabye add it into the forum rules?

So what?
It was the first time I had read this post!
How many times have you read on "Beginners Forum" the title "Grub Problem"?
Should we bann these posts too?

Besides, this info must be shared, so that people know...
If I had not seen this, I would not have believed it!

EDIT: Ubuntu's logo atleast looks cool, Microsoft's looks like a bunch of fat people playing ring around the rosey.

Ok, to be honest, MS design is more PRO, but who cares about the "looks" & design...
I prefer "functionality" over the "looks"!

Dear "bruce89",

They have the same position of "heads" and "arms", mind you it's not as if MS ever have had an original idea!

I know: MS has very few times had orginal ideas...

However, do NOT forget that they have 90% of the World's market!!!

So, lets stick on "functionality", shall we?

[Christmas]

They are SO totally different...!!!
No I think they are so totally the same :) And wouldn't be a problem if they'd use it for open and free programs, but they're not.

LE: They suited Lindows for the fact the name sounds like Windows and many other and now they do the same, no shame.

[?????]

http://www.ubuntu.com/htdocs/uw2/img/headerlogo.png
http://www.kubuntu.org/images/kubuntu-header.png
http://spaces.msn.com/mmm2006-05-01_18.20/images/setup/IconSpaces.gif


They DO look the same!

[Virogenesis]

Can we make a thread like this a sticky so I don't see a new one pop up every couple of weeks as they are annoying and yes microsoft did copy the design but nothing can be done about it, rather than moan about it.

Take the **** out of how creative their team is.

[RavenOfOdin]

While I will agree that Microsoft has absolutely NO creative force, the designs have nothing in common. A baby could split a circle into three parts.

[bruce89]

Can we make a thread like this a sticky so I don't see a new one pop up every couple of weeks as they are annoying and yes microsoft did copy the design but nothing can be done about it, rather than moan about it.

Take the **** out of how creative their team is.
Then we should make a sticky on how to fix X, we all know how it goes... sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

[dvarsam]

They are SO totally different...!!!

Dear "Christmas",

No I think they are so totally the same!
And it wouldn't be a problem if they'd use it for open and free programs, but they're not.

I know man!!!

I was only kidding when I said that "they were different"...

P.S.> Sorry man, I were just joking...!!!

[Rhapsody]

Yes, it looks similar. Yes, Microsoft quite probably ripped off a trademarked logo (assuming that Canonical trademarked at least the main Ubuntu logo, and I'd be surprised if they didn't). But we all know Microsoft has gotten away with worse (see United States v. Microsoft (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Microsoft)) so I'd doubt Canonical would be able to do much. Time to move on.

[gingermark]

I'm just waiting for the first "Hey, Ubuntu nicked their logo off MSN" thread. Only a matter of time :)

[bruce89]

I'm just waiting for the first "Hey, Ubuntu nicked their logo off MSN" thread. Only a matter of time :)
First?

[peterbakker]

....before? nope, but it definately looks like...

(msn spaces..)

[peterbakker]

..this one?

[matthew]

Seen these threads? http://www.ubuntuforums.org/search.php?searchid=7017977

They definitely look like this one. :)

[chris90uk]

Hi, not sure where to put this, feel free to move it to the right place. Anyway, don't you think that this (http://www.1stlogodesign.com/logos/lcd92.htm) logo template looks a lot like the Ubuntu family logos? I've also seen one that's almost identical to the Microsoft Office logo. Am I just being paranoid?

[EdThaSlayer]

It does look similar...but looks different enough to not be considered a rip off...

[kinematic]

looks nothing like it dude....doesn't even come close.

[Tomosaur]

The tri-circle logo style is very popular recently, even MSN is getting in on the action.

[PriceChild]

Yeah i see the similarity... i'm just amazed how people supposedly pay for them off of that site.

Not exactly hard to make yourself one for free.

[anasofiapaixao]

EDIT: Look at this:
" Walpaper delivered in PSD and PNG format.
Stationery delivered in PSD and PNG format.
Stationery and Wallpaper Color customization available for an additional $45. Please inquire for other modifications."

LOL!...


Plus both the pack and the website's logo itself definitely wouldn't make me buy from them... they tend a little bit to the awful side. The wallpapers are fine but the core thing - the logo itself - isn't.

P.S. - Want another nice rip-off (http://www.1stlogodesign.com/logos/lcd98.htm)? A hard task: Guess where the inspiration came from... I wouldn't say these guys are the sharpest knife in the drawer in terms of design.

[Lord Illidan]

They do seem to be copycats. But well...is it so bad? I mean, all those people trying to emulate a Mac desktop, what are they doing?

[anasofiapaixao]

They are doing somthing they won't charge others two hundred bucks for ;)

[asfx]

P.S. - Want another nice rip-off (http://www.1stlogodesign.com/logos/lcd98.htm)? A hard task: Guess where the inspiration came from... I wouldn't say these guys are the sharpest knife in the drawer in terms of design.

lol Whats worse is someone bought it....

[GavinX]

I only have one expression for these logos:

Intellectual Klepomaniacs

[ferenkileen]

unbelievable... look at these links

http://spaces.live.com/PersonalSpaceSignup.aspx
http://sc.services.spaces.live.com/10.08.3226.0000/Web/images/setup/IconProfile.gif

[OffHand]

What I see is the live login page... what's the problem?

Edit: Oh, you probably mean the logo... old news.

[ferenkileen]

look at the gif icon....
http://sc.services.spaces.live.com/10.08.3226.0000/Web/images/setup/IconProfile.gif

[Old Pink]

Hmm... I may file a complaint.

[Klaidas]

I think this has been discussed about 8 times. :)

[Brunellus]

I think this has been discussed about 8 times. :)
Indeed. this was "news" back in Warty.

[temcat]

Read the blog by Daniel Robbins:

http://www.funtoo.org/drobbins/blog/

And this is the very company that preaches respect to others' "IP" everywhere...

[FyreBrand]

Not to be nit-picky but they actually preach to respect their IP and the IP of those that benefit them. I think that's an important distinction to make.

[InsomniacUK]

It's a very common logo theme. Here's a similar one;

http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/index.asp

This was debated to exhaustion a few months back with the whole MSN Spaces logo controversy.

[saracen]

The logo for Microsoft's Alumni Network looks mightly similar to another logo that we're all familiar with...

Take a look (http://mystery.vox.com/library/post/coincidence-or-conspiracy.html)

[seijuro]

Indeed that is very creepy.

[K.Mandla]

Not to spoil the fun, but ... http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=302522

(and just to be fair ... http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=128845 ... and ... http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=120664 )

[EdThaSlayer]

Very strange. They look very similar.

[smoker]

IMITATION IS THE SINCEREST FORM OF FLATTERY - "Usually said ironically when someone tries to gain attention by copying someone else's original ideas. Coined by Charles Caleb Colton in 1820 in his 'Lacon.' First attested in the United States in 'Malice' (1940) by E. Cameron. The adage is found in varying forms." From "Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings" by Gregory Y. Titelman (Random House, New York, 1996).
http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/10/messages/203.html

[Lord Illidan]

Oh no..first we had the Microsoft - Novell deal, now we have a possible link to MS on Canonical!! :-D:-D

hehe..don't mind me.

I mean, it's only an image of people holding hands. I doubt Ubuntu was the first to come up with the idea.

[smoker]

it's only an image of people holding hands.

hme, when ms reach out a hand, it's usually to relieve your hand of some money! lol,

[K.Mandla]

GASP! :shock:

http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=171747

[Bezmotivnik]

Honestly, I've never seen such a high incidence of repeat threads on a forum in my life as there is here.

It's remarkable. :-k

[aysiu]

K.Mandla, those four were just the start of it.

You won't believe how many others I found and merged into this. I'd say there were at least fifteen other threads about it. Now, we have the mega-MSN-stole-our-logo thread...

[jclmusic]

microsoft always does this, they did the same thing with DOS and MSIE.

[Mateo]

i use live spaces for my blog. it's pretty nice, i think.

[chalimac]

[rl]

[Motoxrdude]

Well....
There's microsoft for yea. just look at mac OS X and vista. I don't think they ever do something that wasn't taked/modified from someone else.

[aysiu]

Merged again.

[BrokeBody]

i am only waiting for ubuntu/canonical to enforce a court trial against microsoft and win it.

:roll:

[Baelfael]

I'd say - register an account and set up a photo-album with loads of nice Ubuntu artwork. Find as many different Ubuntu-Human-logos as possible. Maybe we should register an account and post the username and password here, and maintaining the album is a community effort :mrgreen:

Could start off with the Ubuntu logo, the "porn" and the latest nerdy 1 April GDM-splash that's suddenly turned up as my GDM theme after my 1 April dist-upgrade. Would be *great*! :-P

http://www.imagine-msn.com/Spaces/

I'm all for it.

[reyfer]

There's one option missing from the poll: "What the hell is MSN Spaces?"

[chrish670]

There's one option missing from the poll: "What the hell is MSN Spaces?"
Sounds like M$'s answer to MySpace.com :rolleyes: as if . . .

[t1nt1n]

Microsoft is extremely well known for "REINVENTING" the wheel in the name of 'innovation' ! The copying of our 'sacred' logo my fellow Ubuntero's is yet another demonstration of the 'calibre', the 'capabilities of lil'Bills henchmen. Let'em keep 'innovating', while we keep on Rockin..:guitar:

[tagginannie]

Whats next? Gates and Ballmer slaps a infringement suit on Mark Shuttleworth and then try to get patents for the logos?:lol:

[hellmet]

^ LOL.. Bill'd receive slaps from each ubuntu user for that!!

[mrwooster]

Just goes to show that Ubuntu is so amazing that others want to copy it!

[Somenoob]

3 persons holding hands, same idea. Could be a coincidence, too bad we did not patented the logo idea :lol:

[Brunellus]

3 persons holding hands, same idea. Could be a coincidence, too bad we did not patented the logo idea :lol:
it's trademarked.

\begin{offtopic}

Few things these days irritate me more than people posting in *nix forums who are totally in ignorance about the difference between copyright, patent, and trademark protection. They are three different things.

\end{offtopic}

[tagginannie]

it's trademarked.

\begin{offtopic}

Few things these days irritate me more than people posting in *nix forums who are totally in ignorance about the difference between copyright, patent, and trademark protection. They are three different things.

\end{offtopic}

No need to get irritated, just take a couple of deep breaths than calmly explain to the person the meaning of two:wink:

[Caroon]

Did Microsoft copy the Ubuntu Logo? Linuxlookup has the details in this image!

http://www.linuxlookup.com/2007/jun/26/did_microsoft_copy_the_ubuntu_logo

[bobbocanfly]

That looks extremely like the Ubuntu logo and im sure if it was Ubuntu that copied Microsoft's logo we would be taken to court over copyright infringements.

[NJC]

Hmm, well that would be an affirmative. Absolutely it looks copied.

[juxtaposed]

There was something similar to this a few years ago...

[use a name]

There was something similar to this a few years ago...

Fill me in, please?

[blah blah blah]

I doubt it, I've seen a few logos with 3 people in a triangle, it's not really an original idea.

[Caroon]

Yeah, somebody else pointed out yet another similar logo, check the comments on that posting from liunuxlookup. Its not as nice tho.

[samschoice]

Lets not say copied, lets say "heavily influenced"....

LOL! Did any of you notice when Pirates of the Carib. came out last year, there was a ton of pirate movies that came out on home video ?

[justifier]

this topic was here yesterday. bigger post. ill go find it

Edit: cant find it, its there somewere

[juxtaposed]

Fill me in, please?

There was some MSN logo that looked like the ubuntu logo. There were so many posts like "ZOMG, DEY STOEL IT", and there were a few others found.

[Xoanan]

There was some MSN logo that looked like the ubuntu logo. There were so many posts like "ZOMG, DEY STOEL IT", and there were a few others found.

Is the Ubuntu logo copyright protected?

[dbbolton]

once, i was waiting in the doctor's office, and decided to read a pamphlet about injectable medicine for schizophrenia. i can't remember the name, but the company logo looked very similar to that of ubuntu.

[forrestcupp]

Is the Ubuntu logo copyright protected?

You don't copyright logos, you make them a registered trademark. I'm sure it probably is.

[kostkon]

There was some MSN logo that looked like the ubuntu logo. There were so many posts like "ZOMG, DEY STOEL IT", and there were a few others found.

You are right, and if I remember well, it was back in 2005.

[Bluecircle]

Microsoft DID NOT steal it. Microsoft has NOTHING to do with this.

From http://msanet.org

Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and or other countries. Microsoft Alumni Network is not affiliated with Microsoft Corporation. Copyright 2003-2007


Read a little before you get everyone all worked up.

[jeffc313]

yeah... does remind me of this
http://spaceslogo.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!1pewB9JxHjvFn1yxWqZBvnIw!105.entry

[curuxz]

the msn logo already looks like ubuntu but i dont think shuttleworth cares. ms ripping off linux IP is old news :)

[banjobacon]

Microsoft DID NOT steal it. Microsoft has NOTHING to do with this.

From http://msanet.org


Read a little before you get everyone all worked up.

I love you.

[samjh]

Logos with three elements joined in a circular shape are not original, or even rare.

Nope, not really a copy.

[guguma]

http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs24/f/2007/352/d/6/Mozi_Mozi_by_guguma.jpg

http://ubuntuforums.org/imagesorig/ub2/ubuntulogo.png

The Similarity is breathtaking right? I mean even the angles are perfectly same.

[jasonwatkins]

similarity ?

that's a bloody rip off !

[smartboyathome]

lol, it is, but they probably will get away with it since the bodies are showing and it is different in color.

[guguma]

Yes, I am very well aware that it is a rip-off!!!

No need to get all too angry with me.

[Lord_Dicranius]

Yes, I am very well aware that it is a rip-off!!!

No need to get all too angry with me.
I think he was referring to the situation :-P

Micro$oft fights dirty, and here's a perfect example.

[jpittack]

Who cares if they get away with it? Live has been shown to be poor with many other alternatives filling the spot nicely. Windows is dead to me anyways.

[dizee]

Ubuntu should sue Microsoft for trademark infringement. Linux people suing Microsoft would be delightfully ironic.

[phrostbyte]

Ubuntu should sue Microsoft for trademark infringement. Linux people suing Microsoft would be delightfully ironic.

They could probably succeed in such a lawsuit, those logos are way too similar.

[phrostbyte]

The dimensions of the heads in both logos are exactly the same. That's pretty weird.

[smartboyathome]

I would wonder if Canonical would have the funds to do it, though. Thats always the hard part: lack of funds.

[aimran]

Did Canonical bring the MPAA to court? I wonder if they will bring msoft.

[phrostbyte]

They changed the logo now:
http://spaces.live.com/mmm2007-10-25_18.59/Editorial/en-us/Images/M2/WL_Spaces_home.png

It's not pretty much a carbon copy of the Ubuntu logo now (dimensions wise), but it still pretty similar.

[-grubby]

They changed the logo now:
http://spaces.live.com/mmm2007-10-25_18.59/Editorial/en-us/Images/M2/WL_Spaces_home.png

It's not pretty much a carbon copy of the Ubuntu logo now (dimensions wise), but it still pretty similar.

it still represents the same things

[guguma]

By the way do not get angry with me but the logo I presented was MSN Spaces logo not Windows Live logo. Any way it does not make a difference though.

I saw it in the yahoo main page and it said windows live something something etc... sorry I searched it now it is MSN Spaces logo.

[aysiu]

I've merged it with the other, similar threads.

[Linuxratty]

That really just makes me sick.

It's so typical of them though.
They basically do whatever they want and no one stops them.

[Lux Perpetua]

I think it's time to move this to "Recurring Discussions," since (a) it has been brought up repeatedly for the last two years, and (b) people stopped making new and interesting arguments a long time ago.

[PatrickMay16]

The ubuntu logo is actually a very simple idea, so it's very possible that MS's design team came up with a logo to show unity of people. And the first thing that could come to mind is people holding hands.

[guguma]

The ubuntu logo is actually a very simple idea, so it's very possible that MS's design team came up with a logo to show unity of people. And the first thing that could come to mind is people holding hands.

But the first thing that comes to your mind id possibly not "3" people holding hands with a birds eye POV. Even if the MS design team did come up with the idea, they most probably know about Ubuntu and they would have immediately recognized the similarity.

So I cannot see any honest behavior in terms of MS.

[brunovecchi]

There is clearly no innocent intention nor coincidence. The ubuntu logo is perfectly superposable with the msn, it's three persons, same angle, same everything.

[20thCenturyBoy]

I would still lean towards coincidence rather than a scheme to copy the logo and accomplish some agenda.

I think its funny, but definetly not anything to lose sleep over.

[rosegarden78]

It's starting to happen already now.
I'll bet you they will be putting Workspaces in longhorn.
Oh and they have already putted (I heard from a preview) a program that ask for password when installing stuff *cough* gksu lame copy *cough*

Gates was always better at business than innovation. Remember how he bought DOS from a 3rd-party and tried to improve it. When Apple proved a GUI superior he slapped on a patch and called it Windows. Rest assured M$ is all over Ubuntu like white on rice.

ReadyBoost? I was using flash sticks for swap in XP. It hogs CPU resources what you is max RAM. But they won't tell you that because they want to sell a gimmick.

Amazing how I fell for M$ gimmicks - Gates was a master of psi control.

[v.cube]

Microsoft Sucks!!! They are the real "pirates"

[vishzilla]

Microsoft for humanity!!!! :confused:

[whynotchevron]

maybe they are trying to convince their own users that they are just as good as ubuntu . :lolflag:

[benerivo]

Looking at the use of symbols is an interesting topic, but also one which can which can cause confusion. You might say that the Ubuntu logo is based on the Isle of Man flag (look at the positions of the stars and the legs)http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/Flag_of_the_Isle_of_Man.svg/800px-Flag_of_the_Isle_of_Man.svg.png
because it is based there, but you may be wrong...

[bruce89]

Looking at the use of symbols is an interesting topic, but also one which can which can cause confusion. You might say that the Ubuntu logo is based on the Isle of Man flag (look at the positions of the stars and the legs)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/Flag_of_the_Isle_of_Man.svg
because it is based there, but you may be wrong...

Mr. Flibble says "Game over boys".

Couldn't resist it.

[days_of_ruin]

But the first thing that comes to your mind id possibly not "3" people holding hands with a birds eye POV. Even if the MS design team did come up with the idea, they most probably know about Ubuntu and they would have immediately recognized the similarity.

So I cannot see any honest behavior in terms of MS.

+1.Look at where the heads are located.Imagine they represent a position
on a clock.They are on the same times.

[eddVRS]

I'd say - register an account and set up a photo-album with loads of nice Ubuntu artwork. Find as many different Ubuntu-Human-logos as possible. Maybe we should register an account and post the username and password here, and maintaining the album is a community effort :mrgreen:

Could start off with the Ubuntu logo, the "porn" and the latest nerdy 1 April GDM-splash that's suddenly turned up as my GDM theme after my 1 April dist-upgrade. Would be *great*! :-P

http://www.imagine-msn.com/Spaces/


Brill idea, did this get done (haven't read all the pages here :blush: )

History has a habit of repeating itself, and I find it very hard to believe that this is coincidental...:-k

They say imitation is one of the best forms of flattery...

[starcannon]

Brill idea, did this get done (haven't read all the pages here :blush: )

History has a habit of repeating itself, and I find it very hard to believe that this is coincidental...:-k

They say imitation is one of the best forms of flattery...

doesn't flattery cometh before treachery?

[eddVRS]

Can do...

...I wonder what would happen if the Linux community came up with a new device/logo for; say; Gnome, or even Ubuntu, that comprised of four coloured quadrilaterals arranged in a manner that looked something like those things you use to let light through walls...?
a bit like this?
81634

Next you're gonna tell me MS will be using a puffin in their media releases

[Keyper7]

I hate conspiracy theories, but I do agree that the fact that the angle is the same is downright creepy.

[rune0077]

:roll:

How could anybody possibly think that Microsoft is interested in stealing Ubuntu's logo? Copying and imitating a feature is one thing, but the only reason there has ever been for anyone to imitate somebody else's logo, is if you're a small company imitating a larger companies logo in the hope that consumers will mistake you for being the larger, better-known company and then start buying your product.

Microsoft has no reason what so ever to imitate the Ubuntu-logo. Nobody even knows what Ubuntu is, so what's the point?!? Relax you people, there's no evil conspiracy here, just coincidence, and the two symbols don't even look that much alike.

[eddVRS]

<snip> the two symbols don't even look that much alike.
I disagree- The ubuntu logo represents three different people holding hands, standing in a circle.
The microsoft logo represents three of their MSN-People holding hands, standing in a circle... hmmm...

[rune0077]

I disagree- The ubuntu logo represents three different people holding hands, standing in a circle.
The microsoft logo represents three of their MSN-People holding hands, standing in a circle... hmmm...

Okay, so they are slightly similar. But again, why? What could Microsoft possibly gain from ripping off the logo of a barely-heard-of OS? It seems very illogical.

[eddVRS]

Suppose, now I've actually thought about it... MS aren't exactly short of cash... (no 'flames' intended :) )

[trevelyan]

i think the graphic artist assigned for creating the logo (or the one who actually won, that is, who's logo was chosen) got lazy and probably doesn't have that much creativity and saw the Ubuntu logo and thought he could get away with it. as far as MS people go, he did.
they should deduct that from his paycheck and give it to the person who created the Ubuntu logo :)
maybe later fire him.. i mean... if an artist has no imagination, he's no good and should be let go.

[kspncr]

This whole thing strikes me as "meh." I think most of you guys are reading way too much into this.

[bigyoy]

this is Microsoft here - pinching "ideas" and making them their own has always been part of the way they work!

Anyway, it's similar but a bit of a storm in a teacup if you ask me.

[MONODA]

I'll bet you they will be putting Workspaces in longhorn.
that is actually already provided by ms for xp it is called 3d desktop.

[jespdj]

People, please note that the original post is more than THREE YEARS OLD.

[grouchyolddude]

hee hee

[Chame_Wizard]

good one:grin:

[detyabozhye]

Check out Convoca (Microsoft was a bit more creative):

http://convoca.cl/

http://convoca.cl/images/logo.jpg

Edit: They changed their logo overnight. They had the exact Ubuntu logo as their second "o". I guess Canonical contacted them about it. Here's what it looked like before:

http://mruiz.openminds.cl/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/logo0.jpg

[gjoellee]

Microsoft always get ideas from other places! (Not in the start...windows 1.0 to windows 98).

Most people then think the other computer systems (etc..) takes the idea from Microsoft only because Microsoft is the biggest (lol..ironic with the name).

[JohnSearle]

Microsoft always get ideas from other places! (Not in the start...windows 1.0 to windows 98 ).

I'm not sure what you mean "not in the start". Microsoft ripped the whole GUI system off of Xerox's Palo Alto centre... or more specifically, Apple ripped off Xerox, and MS ripped off Apple.

I haven't research into exactly what other MS 'borrowed' since then, but I'm sure there have been many such instances in between the introduction of Windows and WIN98.

- John

[ddarsow]

The past = "Whenever Apple starts innovating, MS starts their photocopy machine"

The future = "Whenever Ubuntu starts innovating, MS starts their photocopy macine"

The future is now. Where do you think MS's "new" .docx file format in Office 2007 comes from? It is very closely based, perhaps even cloned, from the long standing Open Office Writer format.

What MS lacks in originality and function they more than make up for in marketing though. That is their forte...creat "new" products which never make it past the beta stage and get unsuspecting consumers to pay them to use the beta version so they can develop it further.

Funny thing is, just when they get close to making something actually work, they abandon it and move on so they can sell more "new" stuff!

Paying to be a beta tester is a large part of why I am now MS free.