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"We have partnerships with hard disk, motherboard, laptop and desktop companies that want to ship our software to their worldwide market," said Michael Robertson, chief executive officer of Lindows, Inc. "By renaming our product, we are able to facilitate distribution of low-cost, easy-to-use desktop Linux."

"Last week, Lindows won in French courts when Microsoft was denied a preliminary injunction," added Robertson. "Despite our victories in the United States and overseas, a name change is still necessary to counter Microsoft's strategy to sue us in courts around the world. We're hoping that this puts a halt on the international lawsuits. A Microsoft spokesperson has publicly stated that 'We're only asking that Lindows change their name' which is what we have done."

The two-year-old case between Lindows and Microsoft over the trademark "windows" will continue in the United States. Microsoft has appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the case is pending a decision as to whether the Appeals Court will hear Microsoft's appeal. The name Lindows will still be used in the United States in certain instances and as the corporate name.

Linspire is similar in features and capabilities to LindowsOS, but will have Linspire branding throughout. Current users of LindowsOS will not be affected and an upgrade is not required. The my.lindows accounts of LindowsOS users will now be available at my.linspire.com, including CD downloads, account information, and other resources. Current Warehouse members have the option of downloading and installing Linspire from their my.linspire account at no cost. OEMs and resellers selling LindowsOS products may continue to ship existing inventory. Within two weeks, the entire software line will be available with Linspire-branded products, including Linspire Laptop Edition, Linspire Developer Edition and Spanish-language Linspire.