In a strongly-worded ruling, a Seattle court has denied a request by the Microsoft Corporation to block a San Diego software company from branding themselves as Lindows.com and their Linux-based operating system, which will run popular Windows-based programs, as LindowsOS. ``We're obviously satisfied with the courts ruling. Our hope is that we can move beyond the courtroom and focus on our goal of bringing choice back to the PC business. Microsoft constantly appeals for the 'right to innovate.' I hope they will allow us to roll out our innovative operating system, which will cost a third of Microsoft's products, without further impedance,'' said Lindows.com Chief Executive Officer, Michael Robertson. ``We've shown we can defend ourselves against a much larger corporation and we'll continue to battle in a trial if necessary.''

In a written ruling handed down late Friday, the court denied Microsoft Corporation's request for a preliminary injunction to prevent Lindows.com from using the terms ``LindowsOS'' and ``Lindows.com.'' Judge John C. Coughenour found that Microsoft had not shown that Lindows.com should be prevented from using the names Lindows.com and LindowsOS as part of their business, stating that, ``Microsoft has raised serious questions about the validity of its trademark [Windows].''

The entire ruling can be read at http://www.lindows.com/opposition.