MS logo allowed in German TV election coverage

Objections ignored

By Jan Libbenga • Get more from this author

Posted in Bootnotes, 17th October 2005 13:29 GMT

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The Linux Association of Germany has failed in its efforts to keep the Microsoft logo off TV stories about the recent elections in the country.

A Hamburg District Court on Friday lifted a temporary restraining order, which the Linux Association of Germany obtained against public broadcaster ARD/NDRshortly before the recent German general election.

A couple of weeks ago the Linux Association of Germany had objected to German public broadcaster ARD/NDR displaying a Microsoft logo on reports on the evening of the elections to Germany's lower chamber of parliament in September.

The Linux Association considered this as "illegal advertising" and decided to go to court claiming ARD/NDR neglected rules laid down by the German Broadcasting State Treaty.

However, ARD/NDR immediately fired back and a temporary restraining order was issued against the Linux Association without a hearing.

ARD/NDR argued that as German polling agency Infratest Dimap uses Microsoft databases and graphics software for its forecasts, there was little problem in displaying the logo.

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