Dear Lindows.com Friend,

Some of you have asked about information on the trademark dispute with Microsoft Corporation, so here's a quick update and even a way that you can help us if you are so inclined.

Microsoft is complaining that our use of LindowsOS (TM) and Lindows.com (TM) will cause confusion between our product and Windows XP Professional or Windows XP Home.

We don't think people will confuse our products because they're very different and that the true reason Microsoft is attacking us is because of what our product does and not because what it is named.

Also, we feel obligated to disclose to you that we were compelled to disclose your email address to Microsoft during the discovery process as well as the content of many of your messages sent to us. We were not happy about doing this, but we had little choice. We have received assurances from Microsoft that they will not use or disclose your address for any purpose beyond this case.

Here's how you can help. We are composing a list of the many hundreds of products named "Windows Something" or "Something Windows" or even variations on the word windows, which are not from Microsoft. We know there are many, many products that fit this characterization and we could use your assistance to help us create this list. We are looking for hardware products, software products, products for any operating system and even operating systems themselves.

You can help us generate this list at www.lindows.com/list in three different ways:

1. By submitting titles which can be added to our list by filling out this simple form www.lindows.com/listform

2. Send in printed materials which use the term "window(s)" generically such as software boxes or complete manuals to our offices, the older the better:

Lindows.com, Inc.
Attn: Legal Info
4350 La Jolla Village Drive Suite 450
San Diego, CA 92122

3. Email us at userpoll@lindows.com with any digital photos or scanned images from such products that you may own.

Please note: We MUST receive these by 24th January, 2002 to review them in time for inclusion in our legal case.

NOTE FOR WA RESIDENTS: Requests for information are not offered to residents of the state of Washington.

Thanks for any assistance you can provide us.

Michael Robertson
CEO of Lindows.com
michaelr@lindows.com

To read the latest press release which gives more detail click here

To read previous Michael's Minutes, click here.

LindowsOS is a trademark of Lindows.com, Inc. Linux® is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Microsoft® Windows® operating system is a registered trademark or service mark of the Microsoft Corporation.

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