Microsoft seems to have stolen Ubuntu logo

[steffen]

Just logged into my MSN account, and checked out MSN's Spaces. Have a look at the logo Microsoft made for this feature (attached). Looks pretty nice, doesn't it. Should have gone with more "earthy colours", but at least it's far from porn =D> http://www.ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=612&stc=1

[Buffalo Soldier]

Anyone thinking of registering there? Maybe registering under name like Ubuntu_User and with pages describing how MS is ripping off Ubuntu theme.

[dusu]

Just one thing to say about this :
:lol:

[steffen]

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/

[seven]

lol, what happened bill? Where is your originality and creativity?
Shame on you bill :lol:

[arctic]

a poor rip off that is also very bad done from an artistic point of view. i am only waiting for ubuntu/canonical to enforce a court trial against microsoft and win it.

[Buffalo Soldier]

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

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

[jeremy]

They must be pretty desperate, next thing they'll probably rename long-horn to Mubuntu or something!

[seven]

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

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

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*.

We should sue Microsoft and bring death punishment to old bill :lol:

[Buffalo Soldier]

They must be pretty desperate, next thing they'll probably rename long-horn to Mubuntu or something!or Wubuntu.

EDIT: Has other websites such as osnews, newsforge or slashdot catch this "news" yet? Someone could email their editors if it hasn't.

[mseney]

That really just makes me sick.

[kaput]

or Wubuntu.

Has other websites such as osnews, newsforge or slashdot catch this "news" yet? Someone could email their editors if it hasn't.

I submitted it. We'll just have to see if it went through. 8)

[ember]

There is a German proverb that roughly translates to:
Imitation is the greatest compliment.

This only shows, we're ahead. So onwards, Ubuntu-lovers!

[BWF89]

This Is A Total Ripoff!

[telmo]

Maybe they're just inocent... poor child!

[Buffalo Soldier]

I submitted it. We'll just have to see if it went through. 8)
I've Just emailed the people at osnews. Let see if anything happens.

[istoyanov]

Just logged into my MSN account, and checked out MSN's Spaces. Have a look at the logo Microsoft made for this feature (attached). Looks pretty nice, doesn't it. Should have gone with more "earthy colours", but at least it's far from porn =D> http://www.ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=612&stc=1
Besides being a nasty ripoff, it's absolutely *UGLY*

[primeirocrime]

christ! mother of god! mother of me!

bastards! those rotten stinking bastards!

one more reason to kill them with gasoline or any other form of cruel killing.
-----------------------------
ok now that the fury has vanished..
isn't this illegal? it's a total rip of! :evil:

[macewan]

http://spaces.msn.com/members/spaceslogo/

how long before they remove?

8)

http://www.macewan.org/naughty.png

[kassetra]

What's interesting to me (and also shows that they did copy it) is that the figures are in the exact same degree positions as the Ubuntu logo - if they had rotated it by about 30 degrees, they *might* have gotten away with it...

And they might have gotten away with it too, if it hadn't been for those pesky Ubuntu kids... ;)

[zenwhen]

I would like to see litigation because this makes me sick.

Then again, I would hate to see litigation because such litigation is more Microsoft's cup of tea.

[Gandalf]

this really sucks from Microsoft by doing this :D

request to everyone, please spread this to all your friends, post it in all the forums you know, i already post it in

VHCS.net (http://vhcs.net/vhcs/en/support/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9963#9963)
Mambohacks.com (http://www.mambohacks.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=66&expv=0&?topic=79.new#new)
Siemens-mobiles.org (http://www.siemens-mobiles.org/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=41&expv=0&?topic=1871.msg15151#msg15151)

[steffen]

Since computer innovations and general ideas can be patented in both the US and the EU now, it would be a really good idea to sue.

Any Ubuntu-lawyers around? There are bound to be at least a couple of law-students on these forums :-k

[steffen]

or Wubuntu.


We have now realised how Microsoft have started their Ubuntu ripoff. This is only likely to continue. From now on, I will only refer to Windows as Wubuntu.

Your new choices for Ubuntu derivatives:
- Ubuntu - with Gnome
- Kubuntu - community-maintained - same stuff, but with KDE
- Wubuntu - fan-maintained. No working kernel, half-ass stack, but with a popular window manager. Contains serious bugs.

:lol:

[Gandalf]

We have now realised how Microsoft have started their Ubuntu ripoff. This is only likely to continue. From now on, I will only refer to Windows as Wubuntu.

Your new choices for Ubuntu derivatives:
- Ubuntu - with Gnome
- Kubuntu - community-maintained - same stuff, but with KDE
- Wubuntu - fan-maintained. No working kernel, half-ass stack, but with a popular window manager. Contains serious bugs.

:lol:
looooooool http://www.siemens-mobiles.org/forum/Smileys/default/rofl.gifhttp://www.siemens-mobiles.org/forum/Smileys/default/rofl.gifhttp://www.siemens-mobiles.org/forum/Smileys/default/rofl.gifhttp://www.siemens-mobiles.org/forum/Smileys/default/rofl.gif loooooooool you are absolutely right!!!

[bored2k]

this really sucks from Microsoft by doing this :D

request to everyone, please spread this to all your friends, post it in all the forums you know, i already post it in

VHCS.net (http://vhcs.net/vhcs/en/support/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9963#9963)
Mambohacks.com (http://www.mambohacks.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=66&expv=0&?topic=79.new#new)
Siemens-mobiles.org (http://www.siemens-mobiles.org/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=41&expv=0&?topic=1871.msg15151#msg15151)
I agree.

[Gandalf]

I agree.
i know you will http://www.siemens-mobiles.org/forum/Smileys/default/icon_salut.gif

[kassetra]

- Wubuntu - fan-maintained. No working kernel, half-ass stack, but with a popular window manager. Contains serious bugs.

:lol:

Oh no, Wubuntu is maintained by a third party, but it costs you a fortune in order to run any updates, install any applications, and in general, make it work haphazardly.

[matgorb]

As much as I think this is stupid from microsoft, i think it is not a good idea to sue them for that kind of thing, it would be go as down as they are.

Plus, I don't like the fact that idea can be patented, especially in software, so lets not go this way, inform you friends and all about how ms is stupid, but please don't get the lawer in, we have much more too lose than to win.... for example it could be interpreted by the european union as: see this open source software community, they really care about patent on software, they want it to be on, they want to use it bla blabla, is it really where you want to go?

[kassetra]

As much as I think this is stupid from microsoft, i think it is not a good idea to sue them for that kind of thing, it would be go as down as they are.

Plus, I don't like the fact that idea can be patented, especially in software, so lets not go this way,

Well, in this case, it has nothing to do with software nor patents and everything to do with a trademarked logo - which I fully believe should be copyrighted, trademarked and protected.

Since this is a trademarked logo graphic, I believe that Ubuntu should protect it's artwork as such, and yes, sue Microsoft for trademark and copyright infringement.

That's not stooping to their level, it is protecting your artwork. They are using the warm, happy Ubuntu logo, with slight modifications, as their own work. Not cool.

[primeirocrime]

hum... I think the case here is a matter of identity. A logo rip off isn't the same as the point and click features or windows that pop out of nowhere. this isn't about software or even I.P. it's about xeroxing a logotype. it's just a case of Surgery Disaster, they got msn messenger logo and stretched it into ubuntu logo.

[Gandalf]

hum... I think the case here is a matter of identity. A logo rip off isn't the same as the point and click features or windows that pop out of nowhere. this isn't about software or even I.P. it's about xeroxing a logotype. it's just a case of Surgery Disaster, they got msn messenger logo and stretched it into ubuntu logo.
that's correct but isn't a coincidence that it just look like ubuntu logo?? lol

[steffen]

As much as I think this is stupid from microsoft, i think it is not a good idea to sue them for that kind of thing, it would be go as down as they are.

Plus, I don't like the fact that idea can be patented, especially in software, so lets not go this way, inform you friends and all about how ms is stupid, but please don't get the lawer in, we have much more too lose than to win.... for example it could be interpreted by the european union as: see this open source software community, they really care about patent on software, they want it to be on, they want to use it bla blabla, is it really where you want to go?

Sorry guys, I was only kidding :lol:

I know it's a serious issue (the patenting/copyright, etc.) but it's kinda ridiculous as well. So I'm entitled to laugh about it for a day or two and make jokes about suing :lol:

[primeirocrime]

it's one of those things...maybe the logo designer in question is a member of ubuntuforums... :shock:

[benplaut]

it's one of those things...maybe the logo designer in question is a member of ubuntuforums... :shock:

hunt him/her down...

two words::-k

Tar...:-s

Feather! :twisted:

[macewan]

http://spaces.msn.com/members/spaceslogo/

[kassetra]

Sorry guys, I was only kidding :lol:

I know it's a serious issue (the patenting/copyright, etc.) but it's kinda ridiculous as well. So I'm entitled to laugh about it for a day or two and make jokes about suing :lol:

LOL even if you were kidding, you were in the right, and yes, they do need to know of legal actions that will be taken if they don't remove the current logo and replace it with a non-copyrighted-trademarked logo.

[gylf]

Since computer innovations and general ideas can be patented in both the US and the EU now, it would be a really good idea to sue.

Any Ubuntu-lawyers around? There are bound to be at least a couple of law-students on these forums :-k

I'm in law school. And I find this whole thing highly ironic, as MS just filed suit against 117 phishing sites for trademark infringement.

[davahmet]

It wasn't that long ago that Microsoft pursued the trademark issue based on similarity between the Windows name and Lindows, citing an assumption that their customers might become confused by a competing OS vendor with a similar name. Microsoft went through quite a number of courts all over the world before it found one sympathetic enough to decree that Lindows must changes its name to Linspire.

Based on the precedent set by Microsoft in that case, I would say Ubuntu may have grounds to pursue on grounds of trademark infringement. However, there are some points to consider first:
1. In what court will we petition Microsoft to make the changes. For any national court system we bring this to, MS will probabily buy five courts to disagree with us. Yes, this is a very blatent infringement, but perhaps with an intent to bankrupt a low-cash threat by suckering us into an expensive, lengthy court process.
2. The Ubuntu community is all about sharing and humanity. The Microsoft community is all about exploitation, bullying and obvious theft. I would rather we not even consider taking a step in the direction of Microsoft. I very strongly believe in the Ubuntu philosophy, as I think most everyone here does as well. The cost of losing that collaborative ethic in exchange for fighting Microsoft is not worth it IMO. Yes, it is outrageous, but what can you expect from a company that started business by slapping their name on public domain BASIC and then claiming IP ownership.

I would like to offer an alternative, one that enables us to maintain our integrity to the Ubuntu principles while pressuring Microsoft. Let us take our case to the court of public opinion. Slashdot and OSNews is a start, certainly. Media attention of Microsoft's outrageous behavior not only puts them in a very dim public viewpoint, but helps spread the word about Ubuntu. As it is, MSN's obvious logo ripoff should indicat to people that Ubuntu is definitely a distro worthy of evaluation, especially to people that might perhaps be sitting on the fence about switching to Linux. And since Ubuntu offers an outstanding LiveCD, these same people can easily obtain and evaluate the distro that MS felt was a threat significant enough to steal from.

All global companies depend heavily on public opinion for their success. The fact that we do not like Microsoft means very little to the majority of people worldwide that love Microsoft. If we can shift the viewpoint of just a few of them by depending on the court of public opinion, Microsoft will most certainly react. They reacted quite a bit to Firefox's market shift of a few percentage points. However, rather than reacting in the legal arena where MS is a veteran fighter and has all of the advantages, we end up fighting them in world opinion, where we have the advantage.

So, my submission (and since I am not a lawyer, this is not advice) is to be glad Microsoft wants to steal from us. It proves to the world what we already knew about Ubuntu Linux. Talk it up and share it with every media outlet we can access, but do so with dignity rather than by attacking Microsoft. Let us allow the world public opinion an opportunity to demand redress from Bill G., Steve B. and company.

[defkewl]

It's still the same logo isn't it? I didn't see any changes :-?

[somuchfortheafter]

i just submitted to /.

[occy8]

A court case would give some extra funding for Ubuntu if successful or at least extra publicity.

Microsoft deserves a smack from time to time

[TravisNewman]

If Canonical sued MS for this, though, it would make Ubuntu a nice big fat target for MS to take out any legal action it's been holding on the backburner for Linux systems, since they claim to have patents on things Linux uses. I think keeping it in the "public court" is a good idea.

[occy8]

I don't believe they have anything substantial, they would have sued Redhats bottom of if they had anything.

[bigzak]

I don't believe they have anything substantial, they would have sued Redhats bottom of if they had anything.

That's not their tactic, though. Don't go after the big fish, take out the little guys quietly, making it harder and harder for anyone to break into Microsoft's market. This gets rid of the up-and-coming competition while still giving the impression that they are actually being nice to the more visible entities :(

They don't go after Red Hat because they are too big. Ubuntu would be a nice, cheap target. It's sad that the software world has been reduced to such behaviour, but it's a fact at the moment.

[jeremy]

Microsoft sued lindows and paid lindows to change their name to whatever it is now, following that it may not be a good idea for ubuntu to sue. That said, I am sure that Canonical has good lawyers who will advise them in this matter.

My opinion is that canonical should, at least, as for the offending logo to be removed, and for a public apology to be made.
If microsoft actually produced something useful, like, say, ice cream, I would suggest asking for a years free supply...

[lao_V]

I think the best payback is to boycott MS products and bankrupt them in that way. I know it could take some time but that would be the ideal solution to all the problems.

[gylf]

If Canonical sued MS for this, though, it would make Ubuntu a nice big fat target for MS to take out any legal action it's been holding on the backburner for Linux systems, since they claim to have patents on things Linux uses. I think keeping it in the "public court" is a good idea.

Ubuntu is already a target, MS has been blasting linux publically now for some time. And nothing will put this into the public court faster than a law suit. If MS was serious about enforcing those "patents", they'd just do it. Its cheaper and safer for them to waive them in customer's faces and say "don't use linux, it could die any day!". Its all a bluff. They know the chances of those patents being enforced are probably slim to none. Plus, most of the patents effect unix as a whole, bringing Apple and all of the open source community down on them in a hell fire storm they really dont' want to be a part of. There already backing down a bit on it. (http://asia.cnet.com/news/software/0,39037051,39221410,00.htm)


The Microsoft community is all about exploitation, bullying and obvious theft. I would rather we not even consider taking a step in the direction of Microsoft.

So when did filing a law suit constitute taking a step towards "exploitation" or "bullying". If someone takes something that is legally yours, what do you do exactly? The courts are there to protect your rights. Yes, they can be exploited to some degree. But that doesn't mean your automatically bullying or exploiting someone by filing suit.


That's not their tactic, though. Don't go after the big fish, take out the little guys quietly, making it harder and harder for anyone to break into Microsoft's market. This gets rid of the up-and-coming competition while still giving the impression that they are actually being nice to the more visible entities :(

They don't go after Red Hat because they are too big. Ubuntu would be a nice, cheap target. It's sad that the software world has been reduced to such behaviour, but it's a fact at the moment.

OK, a lot of you posting are making it sound like MS will just "buy the judges" and automatically win. Nothing could be further from the truth. Gates doesn't have some sort of magical "get out of jail free" card. Yes, MS bullies people. But its the "oh no don't hurt me :cry:" attitude that lets MS (and any other corporation or individual) get away with bullying. You have to know your rights and stand your ground to protect them.
So what exactly does Ubuntu have to be scared of? They didn't do anything wrong (that I know of, this isn't legal advice). If they file in the UK I believe MS will even have to pay their legal bills.

For further motivation, read this here! (http://clevescene.com/issues/2005-03-30/news/feature_print.html)

[steffen]

We're today's "Today's big story" on LXer.com =D>

I give my vote to leave this in the public court, and just continue using it for our concerted marketing effort ;)

[DirtDawg]

I just cant believe it. What a blatent rip-off. Incredible.

[Buffalo Soldier]

It's already on NewsVac section of NewsForgre.com at -> http://newsvac.newsforge.com/article.pl?sid=05/04/04/1435240

[Buffalo Soldier]

I have talked about this issue with a friend of mine who knows more about the law than I. I'll try to convey his opinions here.



This is a trademark issue. The logos are very similar. (but not exactly same)

You have to ask "whether people will be led to believe that one product is actually the other?"
If people use MSN Spaces thinking it was Ubuntu, then you fulfill one criteria in initiating a trademark suit.

Does msn spaces gain financially from the mark?
If both are competitors of same product/service, then it is highly likely Ubuntu will have its trademark protected and can claim damages from MSN Spaces for trademark infringement.

The layman's view is that the crux of the logo is the same i.e. bird's eye view 3 person holding hands in a tri-bond manner. The colour is different, the layout is different. So if a person can tell the difference from afar, then the case would be weakened.

The reputation of MSN/Microsoft would be badly hit because people would think that why a huge company like Microsoft could not come up with an original logo?

But then again one would have to consider the common view where it is easily understood that there are hordes of anti-Microsoft sentiment waiting to bite. Not that ubuntu is a sacred sanctity loosely base on its humanity-to-others clarion.

This is where one have to look at the matter objectively.

The logo, does it tantamount to overiding Ubuntu's identity and being used by MSN would wash away its novelity? Is such taking of an original idea allowed by the law?

The governing law for such matter is the law of trademark or intellectual property

And to think about the succes rate of proving their case in the court of law, I would say Ubuntu is facing a mighty uphill battle because microsoft's legal department is "gempak gila" (good-crazy).

The only way out is through public outcry.
Disclaimer: These are just opinions, not legal advice.

[lao_V]

For further motivation, read this here! (http://clevescene.com/issues/2005-03-30/news/feature_print.html)

There is only one thing I have to say to that kid. You don't have to use Microsoft, there are alternatives out there!!!

[Adrenal]

Yeh, just use this as
"looks as though even Microsoft loves Ubuntu"
This could even be a new sig, someone with gimp talents willing to design one?

[PaRRoT.it]

MSN Spaces Logo:
http://spaces.msn.com/mmm2005-03-24_15.25/editorial/default/images/Spaces_icon.gif

Ubuntu Logo:
http://weblog.bitassa.net/stuff/ubuntu-logo.png

WTF?

[mayco]

MSN Spaces Logo:
http://spaces.msn.com/mmm2005-03-24_15.25/editorial/default/images/Spaces_icon.gif

Ubuntu Logo:
http://weblog.bitassa.net/stuff/ubuntu-logo.png

WTF?
sue microsoft! this is the chance, come on!!

[paul cooke]

sue microsoft! this is the chance, come on!!

no chance... their logo is well different from the Ubuntu logo...theirs' is based on a hexagon, not a circle for starters, theirs' curves into the central space whereas ours leaves the center alone. The only similarity is the use of three people blobs holding hands.

[UbuWu]

And the people are in the EXACT same positions...

[zenwhen]

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=23638&highlight=msn+spaces

This has already been discussed.

[TravisNewman]

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=23638&highlight=msn+spaces

This has already been discussed.
as zenwhen pointed out, it's already ben discussed. If you wanna talk about it, do so there ;)

[jak]

haha, what if msn spaces was around before ubuntu.. wonder what microsoft's legal department would be getting up to!

[Glanz]

http://people.warp.es/~jorge/blog/?p=38

[Stormy Eyes]

one more reason to kill them with gasoline or any other form of cruel killing. isn't this illegal? it's a total rip of! :evil:

Just put them in the iron maiden. That'll be excellent. As for legalities: if Microsoft's lawyers have any brains, they can just say it's a parody of Ubuntu's "circle of friends" imagery; parodies are protected as free speech in the US.

[Glanz]

J parodies are protected as free speech in the US.

...then let me sugest a new logo for Micro$oft Corp: a pile of doggy-doo.[-X

[Stormy Eyes]

...then let me sugest a new logo for Micro$oft Corp: a pile of doggy-doo.[-X

I recommend a pile of ******** instead.

[betamax]

Damn Bill and all his little imps.....

Circle of Friends, ummm MS has no friends.........
This had turned a shi*ty friday in to a p*ssed off shi*ty friday.

Grrrrr!

[HungSquirrel]

Be nice, guys...

[dcast]

pretty bad rip off where's the copy write on human???

[ankitmalik]

hello

nope not spreading FUD :D

but you remember that instance where MS copied the Ubuntu logo for the MSN Spaces thingie..well I had put that on my blog and I got a reply from a known person who told me how Ubuntu was also copying MS stuff... well I have put that email on my blog along with my comments too...!

check it out @ http://scribbler.tk

[Buffalo Soldier]

The top half of that pic shows my WinXP control panel menu. Note in particular the User Accounts menuitem with the green and blue little men. Now compare with the screenshot below and see the Ubuntu ‘User Admin’ menu’s icon.

Hmm..remarkable similarity, no? What a coincidence that the Ubuntu (or is it the Debian) devs hit upon the very same color scheme,icons for the very same program! Oh..and btw, these icons have been around since 2001 in WinXP

And now, look at the 2 OpenOffice icons.And compare with the icons below - they’re Microsoft Windows Installer icons. Microsoft first started using that icon around 5 years ago. And it is just a *coincidence* again that the OpenOffice icon is the very same thing.

Gee…

And who is calling who a xerox company? Kettle - meet pot.

Let’s see whether you blog about this :)

SriramIt would be interesting to confirm when Debian started using the icon. Not surprised it it was earlier.

[Spark*]

Descriptive icons are different from product logos... Icons are often kept similar to avoid confusion.
I haven't seen those OpenOffice icons in Ubuntu yet, but they apparently just used the original Windows installer icon. Considering that OpenOffice is also a Windows application, complaining about plagiarism is quite ridiculous. That's like complaining about the Abiword guys because they dare to use GNOME icons (on Windows even!). Maybe it just goes to show how much proprietary third party applications are disconnected from their proprietary host operating systems.

[nrayever]

no, no no, this is really bad, with this act, i will like to say:

Bill Gates, you're the greatest pirate that ever existed!!!

[Adrenal]

Do it simply, just send them a bill. I'm serious, they are using your trademark, fight back

[kahping]

with all the Linux FUD M$ is spreading, what i'm more afraid of is that M$ might somehow convince the public that Ubuntu's logo is a rip off of MSN Spaces' logo. :mad:

kahping

[salsafyren]

Hi,

It seems that Microsoft has been inspired by Ubuntu. Look at their logo for MSN Spaces:

http://spaces.msn.com/

What do you think?

/Chris

[akinwale]

Well, from what I gather, I guess so. But I don't see how that's a problem, really. Several things get copied... it's human nature.

[jerome bettis]

http://spaces.msn.com/mmm2005-03-24_15.25/editorial/default/images/Spaces_icon.gif

that's pretty weak!!! RIP OFF :-|

[heimo]

Here's thread about it:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=23638

[TravisNewman]

yep, please follow that thread. We don't need two identical threads floating around ;)

[mkt]

Microsoft is stealing your logo, sue them please :razz:
http://spaces.msn.com/

[brehloi]

Microsoft is stealing your logo, sue them please :razz:
http://spaces.msn.com/
that's a bit too similar!

[Jason-X]

I think this has been pointed out before, but your right it does look familier :)

Microsoft are good using other peoples ideas :roll:

[Buffalo Soldier]

Please refer to thread Microsoft goes HUMAN ;) (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=23638). Already a long discussion has been going on there.

[TravisNewman]

Second new topic about this today ;) It's a popular idea! But yes, please direct further replies to that forum posted by Buffalo Soldier.

Power to the padlock.

[N'Jal]

Take a look at this guys

MSN's New logo for MSN spaces

http://spaces.msn.com/?mkt=en-gb

http://spaces.msn.com/editorial/en-gb/images/logo.html/Spaces_icon1.gif

That looks a lot like this

http://www.it-administrator.de/img/artikel/2004-10/ubuntu.gif

The ubuntu logo

That's either illegal or a big compliment from M$

[MetalMusicAddict]

Sorry man. We've hit on this already. ;)

[bored2k]

Sorry man. We've hit on this already. ;)
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=23638&highlight=msn+spaces

[N'Jal]

Ah ok then feel free to alert an admin to kill this thread then

[N'Jal]

I hates M$ even more now

[jfdill_2]

I'd have to agree davahmet's post is consistent with the whole philosophy of Ubuntu. What worries me more is that MS will come back later and claim that they invented the thing and that Ubuntu stole it from them--not true, but I wouldn't put it past 'em, that type of thing has been done before.


So, my submission (and since I am not a lawyer, this is not advice) is to be glad Microsoft wants to steal from us. It proves to the world what we already knew about Ubuntu Linux. Talk it up and share it with every media outlet we can access, but do so with dignity rather than by attacking Microsoft. Let us allow the world public opinion an opportunity to demand redress from Bill G., Steve B. and company.

[XDevHald]

or Wubuntu.

EDIT: Has other websites such as osnews, newsforge or slashdot catch this "news" yet? Someone could email their editors if it hasn't.
That image above on the first post is very disturbing and the image of ubuntu is copyrighted, I'm not sure if the owner might find this amusing or just down right a slap in the face of "Ha we can do the same but better"

[BAshworth]

It's starting to happen already now.
I'll bet you they will be putting Workspaces in longhorn.

It's already been done. One of the downloadable 'Plus' tools for Windows XP is a workspace switcher. It works horribly.

[granite230]

check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSN_Spaces

I placed this little logo rip-off on wikipedia.org since I couln't find this information on the site.
Scroll down to the facts ;)

[corstar]

He's right you know.
If we make it known that m$ have stolen from Ubuntu, that kind of publicity is PRICELESS.....
Let's keep reporting to the slashdot's of the world so the story gets much bigger.

In fact, lets all list a bunch of sites like slashdot that may be unknown to your fellow ubunto users....
[-X m$

[TravisNewman]

I think I may have seen this on /. already, not sure though.

[Sam]

I think I may have seen this on /. already, not sure though.
Me too, but as a user's comment, not as an article.

[kvidell]

That's one of the most annoyingly upsetting things I've seen in awhile.

At least they know who daddy is ;) They wouldn't copy some unseen logo.
- Kev

[weekend warrior]

Heh, I guess when Apple ran those ironic "Redmond, start your photocopiers" banners (erm...Konfabulator Mr Jobs? [-X ) they took it pretty literally!

Hmm.... what was the motto of Sirius Cybernetics Corporation in Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy? :-k

Share and Enjoy! :wink:

[David Kaisemann]

It's beyond all understanding! I'm in time switched to Linux. It's immorality! This dealing disgrace MS until the end of Universe!

[kvidell]

Heh, I guess when Apple ran those ironic "Redmond, start your photocopiers" banners (erm...Konfabulator Mr Jobs? [-X ) they took it pretty literally!

Hmm.... what was the motto of Sirius Cybernetics Corporation in Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy? :-k

Share and Enjoy! :wink:
When did those ads run? I don't recall them.
Sounds funny, though :-D
- Kev

[pdk001]

M$ is everythings good and about 90% people who have computer use that
but i prefer ubuntu to M$
10 years later or so, i hope linux will better than M$ everything

[weekend warrior]

Originally Posted by kvidell
When did those ads run? I don't recall them.
During the Worldwide Developers Conference last year when Apple introduced Tiger.

http://www.macdesktops.net/data/543/3064Redmond_start_your_photocopiers-med.jpg

There was
another version (http://images.google.com/images?q=redmond%20start%20your%20photocopiers%20&hl=en&lr=&sa=N&tab=wi) too with a big X on it.

It was pretty ironic seeing Tger's Dashboard as a nearly exact copy of Konfabulator 8-[ even though they say Konfab is a rip-off from Mac desk accessories..... oi vey! #-o

what goes around comes around....

[bored2k]

During the Worldwide Developers Conference last year when Apple introduced Tiger.

http://www.macdesktops.net/data/543/3064Redmond_start_your_photocopiers-med.jpg

There was
another version (http://images.google.com/images?q=redmond%20start%20your%20photocopiers%20&hl=en&lr=&sa=N&tab=wi) too with a big X on it.

It was pretty ironic seeing Tger's Dashboard as a nearly exact copy of Konfabulator 8-[ even though they say Konfab is a rip-off from Mac desk accessories..... oi vey! #-o

what goes around comes around....
I still think Apple just takes unknown to the broad public unix apps , puts a cute gui on top of them, and releases them like they were their own. Example: Spotlight ... to me its just a GUI of locate.. or just, Beagle with Mac skin.

[weekend warrior]

That makes their ads and banners even more ironic doesn't it? :wink:


"Share and Enjoy!"

btw, does anybody remember the Share and Enjoy song from the Hitchhiker's Guide radio play? That was brilliant, hehe :mrgreen:

[thagame]

personally i like msns copy of it better then ubuntus lol

[Jenda]

personally i like msns copy of it better then ubuntus lol
Heathen... :-)

[weekend warrior]

Found it! :mrgreen:

"At these times of special celebration a choir of robots sing the company song “Share and Enjoy”. Unfortunately—again—another of the computing errors for which the company is justly famous means that the robot's voiceboxes are exactly a flattened fifth out of tune and the result sounds something like..."

Share and Enjoy mp3 (http://www.ligo.caltech.edu/~tdcreigh/share-and-enjoy_44.mp3)
(company motto of the hugely successful Sirius Cybernetics Corporation) ;-)


http://www.zootle.net/afda/images/share-and-enjoy.gif
http://www.zootle.net/afda/images/gsyhiap.gif


Now that's my kind of computer company anthem! "Where do you wanna go today?" "Think different"? "Linux for Human Beings"? Oh please... :razz: ;-)

[panzer77]

This is just way to close to the ubuntu logo!

http://spaces.msn.com/

:mad:

[sonny]

Yes.. this has been discuss already... although I didn't know if the Ubuntu logo was a trademark, if so.. why Ubuntu or Canonical hasn't suit MS???

[andrewpmk]

There's certainly a resemblance, but I don't think that it is "confusingly similar".

[bored2k]

This is just way to close to the ubuntu logo!

http://spaces.msn.com/

:mad:
Continue here: http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=23638&highlight=spaces+ubuntu

[mark_alec]

I am not a user of ubuntu although I respect all the terrific work you do.

While fiddling around with my hotmail account I discovered MSN Spaces. The logo they have chosen is a rip-off of ubuntu's. I think taking MS to court for this crime would be excellent :wink:

MSN spaces logo (http://spaces.msn.com/mmm2005-06-20_17.52/editorial/default/images/Spaces_icon.gif)

What do you think?

[pdk001]

not bad, mixed ubuntu and MS

[Sionide]

It's been noticed many times before and is quite funny. By the way - you should use Ubuntu.

[Kvark]

Wouldn't the logical thing to do be that a representative from Canonical contact msn and kindly ask them to stop using Canonical's Ubuntu logo...

Show them that you can talk it over in a civilized manner and don't have to rush to a multi million legal battle all the time.

[bored2k]

Wouldn't the logical thing to do be that a representative from Canonical contact msn and kindly ask them to stop using Canonical's Ubuntu logo...

Show them that you can talk it over in a civilized manner and don't have to rush to a multi million legal battle all the time.
You think that would do it ? You're going to call a Behemoth company that's been trying to crush its opposition ruthlessly for like, ever to simply be gentle and kind and change they're new logo, losing millions of dollars in ads already out ? I don't think so. But then again, would Canonical win in a court of law ? I don't think so.

[flankk]

A comparison:

http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/2668/ubuntucopy8yw.jpg

[sigma2805]

how sad.

[Lunde]

Design is not Microsofts best skill... looks way to plastic like, but I guess it's like the rest of their products.

EDIT: The Ubuntu logo is great, forgot to mention that.

[eroda]

not sure if this has been posted but the new microsoft spaces page is virtually stealing the ubuntu logo

have a look at
http://ubuntu.com/include/header-image4.png

and now look at
http://spaces.msn.com

in particular
http://spaces.msn.com/mmm2005-06-20_17.53/editorial/default/images/Spaces_icon.gif

interesing.. no?

[NeoChaosX]

There's already several threads about this topic. Search first, dude. :neutral:

EDIT: In fact, I'll link you to the main topic about it: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=23638&highlight=msn+spaces

[bored2k]

There's already several threads about this topic. Search first, dude. :neutral:

EDIT: In fact, I'll link you to the main topic about it: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=23638&highlight=msn+spaces
Thread closed. Thanks NeoChaosX.

[johan_olsen]

Take a look at this:

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

Look at the logo, this is Ubuntu's human circle the MSN way, isn't it?

Johan Kr. Olsen
Norway

[Buffalo Soldier]

Take a look at this:

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

Look at the logo, this is Ubuntu's human circle the MSN way, isn't it?

Johan Kr. Olsen
NorwayMany threads have highlight this.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=25089
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=27991
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=32364


p/s: what happened to the main thread about this issue? http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=23638

there is no post 23638?

[MikeyXX]

Nah, they would need to have different coloured heads.

[npaladin2000]

I think it's time to pull out the deadliest weapon known to mankind: the lawyers. You know, Microsoft's favorite weapon? :)

[andlinux21]

looks as if that other thread got killed as well

[Buffalo Soldier]

looks as if that other thread got killed as wellHhmm... was there any explaination for this?

[xequence]

Wow... I knew of them plagerizing ideas, but pictures?

Thats just low. All they say is how bad linux is, now they copy it o.O

[bored2k]

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=46875
Please continue the discussion in the given thread.

[xequence]

Reading a couple of pages here it says Canonical should sue them... That would be going down to microsofts level!

We have to get this story on CNN!

[bored2k]

We have to get this story on CNN!Don't worry, you'll get plenty of "MS is copying from ___" articles on the next few months/years. Not from this logo, but for their new OS in general.

[xequence]

Don't worry, you'll get plenty of "MS is copying from ___" articles on the next few months/years. Not from this logo, but for their new OS in general.

Seeing the virus story on CNN made me wanna e-mail them and let them in on a little secret, Linux. But then I realised I had no idea what their e-mail was =P

But those stories will be on Wired and News.com. We'd be lucky to get them on CNN...

[bored2k]

Seeing the virus story on CNN made me wanna e-mail them and let them in on a little secret, Linux. But then I realised I had no idea what their e-mail was =P

But those stories will be on Wired and News.com. We'd be lucky to get them on CNN...
Why CNN ? It isn't even the number one news network anymore (hello Fox). We don't need to shove the news on 95% of the computing population out there, just on the faces of the ones who'd care !

[xequence]

Why CNN ? It isn't even the number one news network anymore (hello Fox). We don't need to shove the news on 95% of the computing population out there, just on the faces of the ones who'd care !


Number one in america =O I dont much understand american politics. The right and left, democrat and republican. It should be like Canadian politics! Liberal, Conservitive, NDP, and Bloc =O

I do have a habbit of going off topic in the first 50% of my post...

I meant as in if the story was on wired or news.com the people who read those are people who know a bit about tech and already know windows does steal stuff. I think it should be on a big news channel like CNN, ABC, or CBS in america, BBC in britian (only one I know :P) or CBC, CTV, or Global in Canada.

And I thought Fox news wasnt credible anymore?

Anyway, I like CNN because its always on to see if something happened. Two CNN channels even =O I dont want to wait until a certain time to see whats happening.

Edit:

Posts: 100

Yay!!!

[bored2k]

I did not understand the post above this one (honestly), so I'm going to get back on topic.
The Ubuntu logo gave me a good and new first impression, while the MSN Spaces one did not.

[xequence]

I guess I do ramble on about gas prices and CNN on topics that have nothing to do with them :P

Sorry. I am opinionated =P

I do agree. The ubuntu one gives a feel of community, which ubuntu and linux in general has alot of.

[drizek]

MS sued linspire over the name "lindows" because they said their customers might get confused and think lindows and windows are the same thing.

we should sue msn because ubuntu users might get confused and think msn doesnt suck.

[newbie2]

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:ll9kfD_eU84J:negen.altervista.org/misc/post/loghi.gif
http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:m9RQ4466sTEJ:chti.tux.free.fr/logo-ubuntu-ms.png
here is a religious ubuntu -->
http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:NvyT31C87m4J:www.bethluth.org/Gathering03/Ubuntu.gif

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSN_Spaces

http://spaces.msn.com/members/spaceslogo/

[programgeek]

If you read my last post regarding SMEG's name, you'de probably almost consider me a troll.. I hate to be the bearer of bad news.. but guys... Microsoft is PWNING Ubuntu...

http://spaces.msn.com/members/spaceslogo/

http://www.macewan.org/copy.png

Microsoft - 1
UBUNTU - 0

"Muahaha"

Lol, but seriously, it looks ironically similiar.. I don't know if it is indeed in breach of any copyrights or anything.. What d'ya think?

[Perfect Storm]

That subject have been discussed to endlessly.

But I don't think that Ubuntu get anything out sueing M$ because they got tons of money which ubuntu don't have.

[darkmatter]

Groannnn...

[Perfect Storm]

Actaully there's a person called Bill Gates on the comments, I don't know if it's The Bill Gates, but anyhow he wrote:



i understand where your comming from but then again, the trademark by ubuntu does have more differences than similarities. by this im talking about the fact that the trademark isnt definately three people holding hands. the shapes are too vauge. but if the idea of three figures holding hands is owned by ubuntu then you must be right, but i doubt that...

[pinoyskull]

it isnt similar but definitely is copied from ubuntu

[Lux Perpetua]

Whoever wrote that was definitely not the Bill Gates. Anyway, Ubuntu does not own the concept of three people in a circle holding hands.

[darkmatter]

Ubuntu does not own the concept of three people in a circle holding hands.

True.

Everytime I see this issue come up, I want to scream.](*,)

The bottomline is that it is technically impossible to copyright an 'idea'. Copyrighting the implementation of an idea is another matter...

[Mishura]

It is sad that they (MS) didn't even attempt at being creative with their logo (Look at the angles of the people holding hands.. exact.) There is nothing anybody can do about it.

Then theres the copying of Windows into various *nix Desktop enviroments.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. All that can be said, is that MS's version is wayyy more butt-ugly than Ubuntu's. Ubuntu's is more clean and simple, while MS's looks like some kind of freak experiment with the use of kid's toys.

No "pwnage" here. Just some poor attempt at flattery, or something.

[Orunitia]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news... but programgeek... this is like the fourth time this has been brought up on these forums. Give it a break.

[TrailerTrash]

:eek:

http://spaces.msn.com/members/spaceslogo/

[23meg]

right, but this is quite old news and has already been discussed a million times..

[TrailerTrash]

Sorry..Im a newbie on these here forums! :-({|= :oops:

[darkmatter]

Sorry..Im a newbie on these here forums! :-({|= :oops:

Not a problem.

And welcome to The Ubuntu Forums.:D

[programgeek]

Whoever wrote that was definitely not the Bill Gates. Anyway, Ubuntu does not own the concept of three people in a circle holding hands.

Yes it is. It sounds exactly like him! :smile:

I am leading a coalition of ubuntu villagers to storm redman topless with spears... Any one wanna join?

Edit: *redmond... redman is actually an african american rapper... Maybe he could help ubuntu out with PR -- Ubuntu is missing a raper.

[pinoyskull]

Ubuntu is missing a raper.


raper? or rapper? or both :D

[shakin]

Ubuntu is missing a raper.

I don't think Ubuntu's trying to create that sort of image for itself. The NBA, on the other hand, has more than enough.

[darkmatter]

lol:D

[geekchic9]

Maybe he could help ubuntu out with PR -- Ubuntu is missing a raper.
Ubuntu is missing a what?
I thought we were trying to make Ubuntu more women-friendly, not women-scary.
;-)

[Sirin]

Ubuntu is missing a what?
I thought we were trying to make Ubuntu more women-friendly, not women-scary.
;-)

He means rapper. It's just a typo. If he really meant it, he would have said rapist. ;-)

By the way with the logo, I see there is some heat coming up on some of the microsoft forums, and they're saying that Ubuntu copyrighted it and Ubuntu should be sued. Not true. ;-)

[bored2k]

http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=70045&highlight=msn+spaces
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=29050&highlight=msn+spaces
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=27991&highlight=msn+spaces
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=25089&highlight=msn+spaces
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=32364&highlight=msn+spaces


Topic discussed.

[bored2k]

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=29050&highlight=msn+spaces

[kirillrdy]

Hey guys have u seen MSN space's Logo?
http://spaces.msn.com/mmm2005-09-20_19.45/editorial/default/images/Spaces_icon.gif
Reminds you something doesnt it?
U can see it on the front page of the http://spaces.msn.com/
I am just wondering isnt that kinda copying? and I kinda wish Canonical suing M$ for that, and winning :P joking, no bad intentions, i am just dont like that its looks a lot like Ubuntu's logo
Any thoughts about it?

[benplaut]

it's been posted tons of times... yeah, it sucks :(

[kirillrdy]

it's been posted tons of times... yeah, it sucks :(
Ah Sorry,, true, after searching the forum i found lots of posts about that,,,
I guess i was in rage when posting it, so forgot to make a research :P,, sorry dudes
But, once again, THATS A TOTAL RIP OFF !!!!

[fyzix]

I don't know who had it first or if it's even a breach,but doesn't the msn spaces logo look A LOT like Ubuntus?

http://spaces.msn.com/

wtf? :(

[Kyral]

Its very old news. (Ubuntu was first btw)

[fyzix]

ok sorry about that,
but can't/is'nt Canonical going to do anything about it?

[canadianwriterman]

Although "ubuntu' is a registered trademark of Canonical Limited, I don't believe the circle design is trademarked.

[Kyral]

Yanno what they say. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery :D

[jrib]

I don't know who had it first or if it's even a breach,but doesn't the msn spaces logo look A LOT like Ubuntus?

http://spaces.msn.com/

wtf? :(

I like the ubuntu one better

[ThirdWorld]

Microsoft "burrowing" ideas from other companies?? how?? when??? i think you are confuse, Microsoft is the most innovative company on the planet!!! They will never do such an unspeakable act...!!!





LOL

[everettattebury]

Actually, I am wondering which came first, the Ubuntu logo, or the logo for the organization

Human Rights First, http://humanrightsfirst.org

http://img288.imageshack.us/img288/7042/homebrand4mo.gif

This is a much closer match to the Ubuntu logo than the MSN one.

[Efwis]

Actually, I am wondering which came first, the Ubuntu logo, or the logo for the organization

Human Rights First, http://humanrightsfirst.org

http://img288.imageshack.us/img288/7042/homebrand4mo.gif

This is a much closer match to the Ubuntu logo than the MSN one.
i think you missed the obvious here. On the human rights logo how many people are there? and on ubuntu logo?

m$n$paces logo is a pure ripoff. as for the humanrights logo, it doens't count, there is no similarity other then colors and the shapes used. It's different enough that there is no commonality between the two. unlike M$N$paces and Ubuntu.

[Jenda]

Efwis:
i think you missed the obvious here. On the m$n$paces logo what colors are there? and on ubuntu logo?

human rights logo is a pure ripoff. as for the m$n$paces logo, it doens't count, there is no similarity other then the shapes used. It's different enough that there is no commonality between the two. unlike human rights and Ubuntu.

I hope you get my point...

[uberlinux]

maybe UbuntuLinux ripped off the human rights logo? when was the human rights logo made?

[detyabozhye]

I kinda think this is funny, seems like M$ decided to pay the designers a little less.

[Sirin]

Actually, I am wondering which came first, the Ubuntu logo, or the logo for the organization

Human Rights First, http://humanrightsfirst.org

http://img288.imageshack.us/img288/7042/homebrand4mo.gif

This is a much closer match to the Ubuntu logo than the MSN one.


H'mm, and isn't the Ubuntu philosophy loosely based on the same thing as HRF?



Ubuntu:

Humanity for others.

HRF:

Human Rights First.

[Darrin]

Figures MS would do something like this. What a joke.

[towsonu2003]

(to the original post)

hehehehehehe

that's a very cute logo :p

*ducks*

[towsonu2003]

OH WAIT, that's worrying...

remember the MS motto:

embrace (ongoing?)
extend
extinguish

So in 2030, we will have MS Ubusta. grrrrr

[veloct]

I just saw this on broadbandreports.com. :)

[Gihef]

Just wondering if the icon they 'invented' for the msn spaces( see http://spaces.msn.com/) was stolen from ubuntu or the other way round ?

[doitashimashite]

It looks a lot like stolen to me.

[earobinson]

This has been posted before, and the ubuntu icon came first but I dont think we are going to do anything about it.

[ardchoille]

Well, you have to keep in mind that Microsoft has never 'invented' or inovated anything. They steal what they want and then lie about it if they are caught - case in point.. the time they were caught faking evidence in a court of law. Microsoft is the epitome of lies, theft, corruption and deceipt - which is why I'll never use anything they design or recommend.

[earobinson]

Im pretty sure this should be in the back yard if its going to turn into a "I hate microsoft rant"

[prizrak]

MS has been stealing stuff from OSS for years, why would it change now? They always steal ideas from others or buy them out. If you seen Pirates of Silicone Valley both Gates and Jobs use the moto "Good artists copy, great artists steal".

[Gihef]

Sorry , I didn't want to bring up trivial arguments. But i'm quite interested in why the 'Ubuntu development team' (which i can't even start to express my gratitude to as tears begin to fill my eyes [-o< [-o< [-o< [-o< so easy to install, to use , and I won't mention the 'spirit 'that comes with it )
won't do anything about such a thing. Just trying to get the public 's attention to the fact could make a good publicity.

[Brunellus]

Sorry , I didn't want to bring up trivial arguments. But i'm quite interested in why the 'Ubuntu development team' (which i can't even start to express my gratitude to as tears begin to fill my eyes [-o< [-o< [-o< [-o< so easy to install, to use , and I won't mention the 'spirit 'that comes with it )
won't do anything about such a thing. Just trying to get the public 's attention to the fact could make a good publicity.
Answer: because legal action is expensive.

A good patent & trademark attorney bills at USD 500 an hour or so, and a trademark opposition can take a very long time. Also, the discovery process (production of documents and things) is expensive in itself, in addition to being time-consuming...and for every hour, those attorneys have to be paid.

[ardchoille]

Sorry , I didn't want to bring up trivial arguments. But i'm quite interested in why the 'Ubuntu development team' (which i can't even start to express my gratitude to as tears begin to fill my eyes [-o< [-o< [-o< [-o< so easy to install, to use , and I won't mention the 'spirit 'that comes with it )
won't do anything about such a thing. Just trying to get the public 's attention to the fact could make a good publicity.
Well, a nice hefty lawsuit, or even an accusation, would accomplish two things:
1. Open the eyes of some Microsoft users to the fact that Microsoft steals from others
2. Bring about attention to the awesome Ubuntu distro and to Linux in general.

But, then again, given that Microsoft is clueless about the definitions of "truth", "honour" and "respect", they'd just falsify logs/documents to make it appear that they had that graphic before Ubuntu did. This may be why the Ubuntu devs aren't wasting their time on it.

[earobinson]

I dont think that Mark would ever sue some one as a publicity stunt. It seems kinda unethical to me.

[Gihef]

Well it doesn't have to be a law suit , just try to get the media ( traditionnal and not) 's attention drawed.

[earobinson]

If you build a great product that will happen on its own.

[Brunellus]

This is a relatively trivial matter, and not worthy of real media attention.

Don't let your enthusiasm for Ubuntu and Linux and Free Software in general give you a false sense of its importance to the vast bulk of the computing public.

[chajuram]

It looks a lot like the ubuntu logo, just that the three friends in their logo have paunches (nice old bellies). Quite interesting, because in our country the people who make money out of others always have big fat bellies.

While I admire the point of view of earobinson, I wonder if a little publicity will hurt.

Chajuram.

[earobinson]

I think there have been many threads on this before. The only bad thing about publicity and I think that Brunellus was getting at is that ubuntu, is not for everyone. And if we ran a add campain saying ubuntu is great its going to replace windows, a lot of people would install it, and a lot of people would have problems, and with all the hype and all the failures there would be a lot of people saying wtf linux is a peice of c**p this dont work at all and that would set the linux comunity back.

Within the geek comunity ubunut all ready has a lot of hype, Its on slashdot all the time and pc mag rated it the top 26 product of this year. It gets a lot of publicity where it is needed. As ubuntu becomes more stable IMO we will see more people using it and it will slowly expand, but to jump ahead of the game is a bad thing.

IMO if you want to go big with publicity go big on open source software that is linux compatable examples of this.

- firefox is great and works very well with windows (better than linux :().
- gaim works perfect and is windows compatable.
- open office is a great program and could use the hype.

but ubuntu is not ready for every day use and you might hurt it by forcing it to expand to quick.

[TeeAhr1]

Lots of pieces to put together here.

1. It's blantantly stolen, legally or otherwise. Does anyone know the copyright status of the Ubuntu logo? I sure don't.
2. Litigation in America in prohibitively expensive.
3. Media coverage is a mixed blessing at best.

Pete's two pennies: Let's turn this over to Slashdot and let them run with it. Avoids all the drawbacks of traditional media coverage, provides a lot of the benefits. Just getting an article on Slashdot provides phenominal exposure, in and out of "traditional geekdom." And as an added bonus, Slashdotters are expected to be rabid zealots, and anything said would be seen in that light.

Is this fighting dirty? Yup. Is stealing a logo and changing the color scheme dirty? Yup.

I respect all your opinions on this, I'm not just going to go lone wolf and submit the story to Slashdot unless the consensus is that it's a good idea. So I turn the matter over to you, my respected peers.

[earobinson]

go for it IMO geek media coverage is good for ubuntu. Ubuntu has been featured on slashdot many times, Infact these fourms have been /.ed

not sure what ubuntu-geek would think if we got /.ed again

[TeeAhr1]

Your favorite electronic nut-puncher is on it, my sahib.

[BatsotO]

It looks a lot like the ubuntu logo, just that the three friends in their logo have paunches (nice old bellies). Quite interesting, because in our country the people who make money out of others always have big fat bellies.

While I admire the point of view of earobinson, I wonder if a little publicity will hurt.

Chajuram.

They looks more like aliens from mars to me, aliens with big fat bellies.

[prizrak]

One consideration is that MS might sue us if we don't sue them :)
Though I'm sure suing a Shuttleworth would REALLY hurt MS.

[brunov]

I stumbled to this page and was surprised of seeing the ubuntu logo used, when it looks like the site has nothing to do with ubuntu
http://www.ats-consultants.com/

What do you think?

[xequence]

Happens alot :/ Even microsoft did it for something.

But THIS one is exactly the ubuntu one, except its a different colour and a little bit rotated.

[Bandit]

Someone needs to email Mark about this so he can let the legal department send them a nasty gram...
Cheers,
Joey

[brunov]

Yeah i had seen the msn one, but that one at least changed it a bit, this is the exact logo only slightly rotated

[macgyver2]

LOL...when I tried to view the site in Konqueror, I got re-directed to /unsupported.html...but that gave me an error 404! It worked in FF though. :)

[Linux BASHer]

True that this is the same form as the Ubuntu logo, and the Ubuntu trademark holders should certainly respond. However, couldn't this also be a coincidence? The Ubuntu logo is a circle, separated in three parts, with three circles "connecting" or "entering" each part. There is some detail, but overall it is pretty basic (which is part of its appeal) and I have seen similar drawings before.

This company logo is not "turned on an angle" like the Ubuntu logo, and the smaller circles seem to be "eating" less of the bigger circle than the ubuntu logo.

Also, the company says it was founded in 1982, which would predate Ubuntu. What remains to be seen is how long they've had this logo. Did they get it after the Ubuntu logo was devised or before?

[gord]

i sware i saw a crop circle that looked like the ubuntu logo once... maybe its all an alien conspiracy... maybe iv just been watching too much x-files

[23meg]

Above all, are you sure that this is the logo of the company? It looks to me like it's just an element of their web design.

[Wallakoala]

Above all, are you sure that this is the logo of the company? It looks to me like it's just an element of their web design.

It has to be the logo of the company because every page on the site has the logo in the background

[prizrak]

I agree that it is a fairly common and intuitive drawing. I've seen alot of similar diagrams in my day. If we all want to be real anal about it, then the bible holds the rights to it, Holy Trinity :)

[Linux BASHer]

It has to be the logo of the company because every page on the site has the logo in the background

I had the same thought 23meg had, but then noticed what Wallakoala did. Of course, this is an assumption, but it seems like a reasonable one.

[Linux BASHer]

I agree that it is a fairly common and intuitive drawing. I've seen alot of similar diagrams in my day. If we all want to be real anal about it, then the bible holds the rights to it, Holy Trinity :)

The use of "anal", "Bible" and "Holy Trinity" all in one sentence seems somehow blasphemous.

[prizrak]

The use of "anal", "Bible" and "Holy Trinity" all in one sentence seems somehow blasphemous.
ROFL, well I'm an atheist. I appologize if I offended anyone, I didn't mean to.

[%hMa@?b<C]

:mad: http://spaces.msn.com/mmm2005-11-01_10.54/editorial/default/images/Spaces_icon.gif
see, now i am very angry. I always hated microsoft and now they've gone too far

[fuscia]

how flattering.

[Tails]

where do u saw that??? O_o

[BSDFreak]

:mad: http://spaces.msn.com/mmm2005-11-01_10.54/editorial/default/images/Spaces_icon.gif
see, now i am very angry. I always hated microsoft and now they've gone too far

There has been threads about this before.

I can't say that i really care.

[ctt1wbw]

Microsoft stole something from someone else? Say it ain't so!!

[jvalatka]

This logo is used for some concept called "MSN Spaces".

http://spaces.msn.com/

I thought it was quite shocking. They're virtually IDENTICAL. :-k

[endersshadow]

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=670888#post670888

Your best friend from here on out. (http://ubuntuforums.org/search.php)

[kwaanens]

If you build a great product that will happen on its own.

Like Betamax?
"Build it and they will come" may work in fiction, but it more or less stops there...

- Ketil

[Stormy Eyes]

As ubuntu becomes more stable IMO we will see more people using it and it will slowly expand, but to jump ahead of the game is a bad thing.

I agree.


but ubuntu is not ready for every day use and you might hurt it by forcing it to expand to quick.

You're right again, but with a qualification: it's not ready for everyday use by inexperienced ex-Windows users who don't have a guru handy.

[Rackerz]

Hmmmm, Thanks Microsoft! It's nice that your using something from open source.

[Vlammetje]

Is that so? All the experience in the world on how to use windows isn't going to help you in dealing with ubuntu (in fact I'd say the opposite is more likely to be true)

Ubuntu is ready. It's convinced Windows users that aren't ready for ubuntu, not the other way around.

Anybody willing to put in sme effort (it needn't even be that much) can learn some basic things and get along with ubuntu just fine. I'm living proof. And it can be done without any gurus handy. This forum supplies all the guru you'll ever need.

[mohapi]

I think I'll let them know their logo is strikingly similar to the Ubuntu logo ... through their "Report Abuse" system. \\:D/

[benplaut]

I think I'll let them know their logo is strikingly similar to the Ubuntu logo ... through their "Report Abuse" system. \\:D/


rrriiiggghhhtttt... as if that'll work.

Do tech support people in some far-away country even understand enough english to know what you're talking about?!

[mohapi]

rrriiiggghhhtttt... as if that'll work.
No. I don't expect it to work. In fact, I don't even expect a reply.

I do, however, enjoy the irony of reporting their own "abuse" through the system they designed to control "abuse" done by others.

On the whole, I enjoy irony. :cool:

[mohapi]

Well, I was wrong. They did reply.


Hello K. Mandla,

Thank you for writing to MSN Spaces.

We are interested in investigating your report of unacceptable activity in MSN Spaces, but we need more information in order to do so. Please provide us with the following details:

Space Alias or Name
Space URL
Description of the problem
Exact location of the violation
Photo Name
Photo Album Name

If the violation is found in the Blog, please provide us the date and time it was posted.

We want you to have a pleasant MSN Spaces experience. Thank you for using MSN Spaces.

Sincerely,

Paul
MSN Spaces Customer Support

I'm tempted to reply. ... Nah. I'll just let them stew.

[DevilsAdvocate]

Does anyone know how the Ubuntu logo originated? Who designed it or where the idea came from ?

[kairu0]

I thought it was quite shocking. They're virtually IDENTICAL. :-k

Really?!? I don't see the ressemblance. :P

[mohapi]

Really?!? I don't see the ressemblance. :P
Sure you do. The one is round and the other one is round. Can't you see it?

Best of all, if you cross your eyes and stare at it for a while, you can see a UNICORN! :o

[npodges]

i found this today http://spaces.msn.com/ (not that it's new, but i never used it) has that logo been around long, it's strikingly similar to all the ubuntu logos. that's at least annoying.

[WildTangent]

This topic has been brought up before, just search for MSN spaces.

EDIT: Here, I saved you the trouble: http://www.ubuntuforums.org/search.php?searchid=3776898

-Wild

[majikstreet]

you are # 27,778

[Derek Djons]

Microsoft's MSN Spaces have shelled for weeks after it was cleared the blogs where under a censor policy.

[czervis]

Hey people,
I just signed up to msn and was very surprised. They've got almost a same logo as Ubuntu has! I don't know how long 'msn spaces' has been using it nor how it is with trademarks of Ubuntu, however I kind of don't like it.
So I just ask you, after being disapointed because i had to register here, what do you think about it?
Here's a link to the wicked place: http://spaces.msn.com/

[mstlyevil]

This has already been discussed in several other threads.

[xequence]

This seems to come up every couple days ;)

[Virogenesis]

I'm afraid its been talked about before infact about 6 times now and to be perfectly honest I'm not surpised MS did it as MS like to think they have complete control.
Nothing can really be done about it we can whine all day about it but I'd rather gloat about how they cannot think of their own designs.

[czervis]

so the logo is not their trademark?

[Virogenesis]

ubuntu had the logo prior to the launch of myspace.msn.com
So I'd say they would of copied if search back a few times as this has been talked about in greater detail in older posts.

[Bragador]

omg, the world is against Ubuntu !!!!!

http://www.scrippshealth.org/

I think Ubuntu needs a better and original logo then...

and http://www.im2.com/ !!!
omg !

[WildTangent]

Yup, old news.

And dear god, get rid of that avatar now Xequence! IT MAKES MY EYES HURT!

-Wild

[xequence]

And dear god, get rid of that avatar now Xequence! IT MAKES MY EYES HURT!

Come on, its a free ipod, isnt it more important then your eyes?

Click on it. Its free.

***Participation required

Heh. All good things must come to an end.

My free ipod promotion is done ;)

[Mugendai]

Mm.. hadn't noticed this has been discussed before, I shoulda searched. Please delete me.

[jrib]

if you search, there are already a bunch of threads about it. But yeah looks familiar, can't quite remember where I saw it... ;)

[Mugendai]

Oh.. you are right.. then I delete thread.. gomen.

[daacosta]

I just looked at the webpage:

http://spaces.msn.com/

and couldn't help noticing the similarity of their logo with Ubuntu's

I am not sure whether Ubuntu might be interested in questioning the legality of msn's use of their logo or not but I just wanted to call the attention to this matter...

[meborc]

it is very old news... :mrgreen: last time it was talked about, i think it was concluded, that ubuntu logo was first... but i might be mistaken

[K.Mandla]

:p I saw that a while back. Like so much Microsoft does, it's a cheap ripoff of someone else's work.

I sent them an "Abuse Report" about it, and told them their logo was strikingly similar to Ubuntu's. They sent me a canned reply. Typical. :-|