ZDNet: MandrakeSoft Ordered to Drop Trademark

“A French court has ruled against Linux distributor MandrakeSoft
in an intellectual-property dispute with United States-based Hearst
Holdings and King Features Syndicate.

“The decision could force the Paris-based software company to
surrender its trademark and domain names and to pay nearly $90,000
(70,000 euros) in damages to the U.S. companies, holders of the
rights to the comic strip character Mandrake the Magician. The
comic strip marks its 70th anniversary this year.

“MandrakeSoft will be allowed to keep using its name and Web
site addresses for the time being, while it appeals the Feb. 13
Paris court decision. The company said the appeals process could
continue for another three years…”

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