Nearly everyone has heard about our litigation with Microsoft, which goes to jury in December 2003 in Seattle. What you haven't heard about is another legal battle. After Microsoft filed its trademark complaint, Lindows.com asked our business insurance provider St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company to help defend us — as required by the policy we purchased. They refused, despite willingly taking our premiums. Worse, they almost immediately filed their own lawsuit against Lindows.com.
Not only must Lindows.com defend itself against the richest company on the planet, but we had to spend money defending a lawsuit against someone supposed to be on our side. We've also learned that St. Paul has had marketing and business ties to Microsoft in the past.
Judge Robert Takasugi just entered summary judgment in favor of Lindows.com. St. Paul is liable for breaching their contract and has a duty to defend us. It's still David vs. Goliath, but at least we get to use our slingshot.
Michael Robertson, Lindows.com
