Updated A brief article from Heise Online appears to say that German Linux distributor SuSE has been hit with a preliminary injunction barring it from distributing its product because an application, or application name, in the distro infringes a copyright.

As Babelfish mercilessly butchers German, we're not quite sure how to interpret the article. Here's a link to the original story for you Germans and polyglots out there. ®

Reg reader Josef Möllers kindly supplied us with the following translation:

After Samba and kIllustrator, yet another open-source-program occupies the time of lawyers. The German lawyer Günther Freiherr von Gravenreuth has won a preliminary injunction at the Munich District Court against the German Linux-distributor SuSE.

The reason seems to be an open-source-software referenced on one of the SuSE-CDs. Apparently Gravenreuth has prohibited the Nurenberg based company from delivering its Linux-distribution, as long as the disputed program name is contained on the disks. SuSE could face serious financial losses if the copies already produced cannot be sold.

Being asked, Freiherr von Gravenreuth confirms the preliminary injunction against the name of the open-source-software, but refuses to give any more details, since his client wishes to get a settlement with "the opponent" and doesn't want to be named. SuSE spokesman Christian Egle says his company will publish a statement in a few days.