Xbox Live Disallows Linux, Unix As Keywords

shafty023 writes "The Xbox Live online service disallows screen names like LINUXRULES, L I N U X, and other variations of these kinds. Other bloggers are reporting that variants of 'Unix' also result in the message: 'Your motto contains inappropriate language. Please try again.'" If this is an extension of Microsoft's anti-Linux campaign, perhaps it's time they gave it up.

Aren't they both.....

[bherman]

trademarked or copyrighted names? Wasn't that one of the items SCO claimed ownership to (the Unix name)?
Could be another reason.

Correct me if I'm wrong (seriously)

[Scottoest]

But doesn't XBOX Live prevent users from using any trademarked terms when making a username?

If this is not the case, then my apologies.

If it is (and I think it is), then kdawson, you really need to give this up already. You are fast becoming notorious for posting complete non-stories, especially when the subject is Microsoft.

- Scott

Re:Maybe not completely anti-linux.

[hc5duke]

I would guess "Microsoft" is banned to prevent phishing scams where someone pretends to be from MS

But maybe...

[davmoo]

perhaps it's time they gave it up

But perhaps its also time that the people writing these headers realize that a) Xbox Live is a private network, and as such, they can set their own rules, b) Microsoft may have a policy against trademarks in names (I don't use Xbox Live, so I don't know their rules), and finally c) Microsoft is in competition with Linux, and is not going to publish or permit anything that is pro-Linux.

Its like you people expect Microsoft to advertise with a slogan like "Linux is better, but buy our stuff anyway". You're probably also waiting for American car manufacturers to come up with the slogan "Our cars suck, but buy American!"

Grow up, people, that's how capitalism works. Build your own game network (at your own expense) and you can set the rules.

Re:Maybe not completely anti-linux.

[Scottoest]

As I already replied in this news post, I think they try to prevent any trademarked terms from being used in Gamertags.

This is another non-story, as is the case with most of kdawson's Microsoft related posts.

- Scott

Re:And to think I was going to buy an Xbox 360!!

[TheTopher]

The First Amendment protects your freedom of speech from the *government*. Microsoft is under no obligation to let you speak freely while you use their online service. As much as you would like this to be about you, this is about preventing the Xbox division from losing even more money due to trademark infringement. That said, the 360 is an excellent system and I don't think that the inability to use "Linux" or other trademarked terms in your gamertag is a valid reason to not get Halo 3.

Re:Maybe not completely anti-linux.

[Scottoest]

kdawson was the Slashdot editor that posted this story - you can see his name at the top of the page. He has a tendency to post unsubstantiated FUD about Microsoft, which is ridiculous, given the amount of substantiated issues people have with them.

Seriously - submit a story like "Micro$oft gives babies herpes, says new report", and then have the "report" link go to some drooling teenager speaking in all "leet speak"on the IGN forums, and I predict your story will hit the front page by the top of the hour.

- Scott

Get a sense of humor.

[Erris]

If nothing else, the error message about "inappropriate language" is news. It's bad enough that xbox would restrict normal behavior, but M$ make it worse by not explaining why. It made me laugh.

If it is a Trademark thing, it must take forever to get a screen name. Next time you are in a grocery store, just look at all of the names for tampons. It's hard to imagine the size of the database they will have to parse though and that's before you get to L337 stuff like T4mpax or V46ici11

Re:Maybe not completely anti-linux.

[Skillet5151]

I think they try to prevent any trademarked terms from being used in Gamertags.

While that makes some sense, it seems pretty worthless to block two (three including Microsoft's own) of the tens of thousands of trademarked names and phrases in the US.

I doubt it's malicious. Just seems like an oddity to me.

Re:Maybe not completely anti-linux.

[Anonymous Coward]

I'd say it's more likely that they're attempting to prevent names such as "MicrosoftSucks!"

I can understand companies doing this, but it says a lot that none have had to in the past.

Re:Maybe not completely anti-linux.

[scoot80]

Hmm, don't you just wish sometimes people's IP addresses were posted when posting as Anonymous.. and then banned for life. If you are going to verbally attack someone like that, grow some balls and post under your real name.

Re:Maybe not completely anti-linux.

[NickFitz]

...being able to apply a mental kdawson filter is a useful tool.

Or you could just change your preferences so you don't see stories posted by him, or any other editors you don't like.

Re:It's anti-retarded fanboy

[Hatta]

WTF do you care what someone elses handle is? It's completely arbitrary so it might as well have something to do with the person. What better to name yourself after than something you like?

If someone named themself "dachshund17" or "GTO-1963", would that be a jackass move? Dogs and cars are just are popular hobbies just like computers, so if they're ok then "LinuxRules" should be fine too. If those names aren't OK, wtf is someone supposed to us as a screen name and not be a jackass in your opinion?