M$ sued over software name

[Alpine]

We're not competing, honest

A CASE STARTED in a Seattle district court alleging Microsoft has nabbed the trademark of one of its software partners.


Seattle-based Dexter & Chaney Inc, which makes accounting and management software for the construction industry, said it had used the Forefront trademark for 18 years, but alleges Microsoft has started marketing its competing software under the same name.

Dexter & Chaney is a certified partner for Microsoft and re-sells Microsoft products.

It alleges Microsoft directly competes with Forefront with Great Plains and Solomon software, modified for the building industry. But, alleges Dexter & Chaney, Microsoft released a promotion for a software initiative under the Forefront name. Microsoft was advised of the likelihood of confusion in summer, but said no confusion existed and it would carry on marketing Forefront. "Because Defendant is a much larger company than Plaintiff and has more resources, its widespread marketing could cause customers to believe Defendant owns the Forefront Mark, and that Plaintiff is the infringer." Dexter & Chaney wants damages, injunctions, to prevent Microsoft registering Forefront as a brand, and the rest.

The INQuirer