Finally, a little high-profile coverage of an interesting case that's been dragging on for years now... How many of you were aware that Microsoft doesn't actually own the rights to the name "Internet Explorer?" That's right; that name isn't trademarked-- at least, not by them. A smallish ISP called SyNet (located in sunny Downers Grove, Illinois) used that name for its custom software installer way back in 1994. Microsoft's web browser didn't surface until 1995, and thus began the legal tussle between SyNet and Microsoft for the right to use the name. What we hadn't heard was that a month ago, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office sided with the little man, and began registration of the trademark to SyNet. A fascinating account of the whole sordid story is available from the Wall Street Journal.

Unfortunately, the long-fought legal battle bankrupted SyNet a while ago, as it collapsed under the weight of its own legal bills. But the victory must at least give SyNet's founder something to smile about. Unfortunately, while the trademark goes into effect this Tuesday, that day also starts a thirty-day period during which Microsoft (and anyone else) can appeal the decision and try to have it overturned, so it may be a while before we hear the end of this issue. Still, it will be ironic as hell if Microsoft's biggest legal blow is dealt not by the Justice Department, but by a now-defunct ISP whose owner has an axe to grind.

Microsoft's argument against the assigning of the trademark is that the phrase "Internet explorer" is too generic a term to be owned. We've never heard anyone say "Netscape is my Internet explorer of choice" or anything like that. Netscape Navigator, Opera, MacWeb, Lynx, and even Internet Explorer are "web browsers." Who generically refers to them as "Internet explorers?" Other than Microsoft, we mean. But that's pretty much what Microsoft is claiming in their suit. And in typical hyper-hyperbolic fashion, they manage to keep a straight face while claiming that SyNet is "trying to appropriate the English language." Yeah, and letting PC manufacturers choose which browser (er, we mean "Internet explorer") to install on their Windows systems would violate Microsoft's "right to innovate." Lordy, lordy...