The dangerous trademark fight between Microsoft and Lindows.com that could ironically wind up stripping Microsoft of its rights to the Windows trademark has suddenly leapt outside the US to Sweden, where Microsoft succeeded Wednesday in getting a temporary restraining order halting the sale of the Lindows desktop operating system, Lindows said.

Lindows said Microsoft has filed for an injunction in a Stockholm city court to prohibit the use of the marks "Lindows," "Lindows.com," and "LindowsOS" in Sweden claiming trademark infringement.

Microsoft is also taking its case to courts in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Holland. Microsoft is reportedly trying to make the Lindows Web site inaccessible in the Benelux countries.

The Swedish court slapped the restraining order on Lindows without Lindows, which doesn't have an office in Europe, offering a defense or even appearing in court. If Lindows disobeys the order, it will have to pay a fine of roughly $400,000, three million Swedish krone.

Magistrate Ulrika Carlehall said Microsoft had showed "probable reasons for the alleged infringement" and that "It may reasonably be expected that Lindows will continue the infringement and diminish the value of the sole right to the marks. A delay would imply a risk for damage. On these grounds an injunction shall be issued immediately."

Lindows CEO Michael Robertson claimed, "Microsoft is using lawsuits as a battering ram to smash Linux to prevent it from reaching retail stores." He said Lindows hopes "the judge will see Microsoft's true intentions are to sustain their monopoly."

According to Robertson, "Microsoft tried this identical legal maneuver in the US attempting to block the growth of Linux with mainstream computer users. The US courts denied their request multiple times and today more than 100 retailers sell Linux desktop and laptop computers, forcing Microsoft to compete in the United States for the first time in many years."

Of course, the US case that Microsoft brought against Lindows two years ago this month protesting its choice of name has yet to be sorted out. It was supposed to go to trial on December 1 but was delayed until March 1 because of a last-minute scheduling conflict that the judge had. To defend itself against the Microsoft suit, Lindows is challenging the software giant's right to the Windows trademark.

Robertson says he will change the name of his company and its product if he losses the US case. He claims it's unnecessary for Microsoft to open new fronts in Europe and run up Lindows' legal bills without noting that US law doesn't maintain in Europe.

Lindows has started a defense fund-cum-agitprop rallying point called ChoicePC.com aimed at selling 500 so-called lifetime digital licenses to all Lindows operating systems in each country where Microsoft is trying to thwart its spread. The licenses are going for $100 each. It says it sold out in Holland and is close to selling out in Sweden but the French could apparently care less and have only bought 12 licenses.

Robertson flew to Europe the other day supposedly because Microsoft was threatening legal action against resellers, a claim Microsoft denies, although it admits sending letters to Lindows to protect its trademarks.

• Taking the Geek Out of Linux -- A talk with Michael Robertson, CEO of Lindows.com --
• "Microsoft is Using Lawsuits as a Battering Ram to Smash Linux," Says Robertson
• Judge Slaps Down Cheeky Lindows Scheme
• Microsoft Blocks Desktop Linux in the Netherlands
• Lindows Assumes an Alias
• Lindows to Adopt Foreign Alias
• Microsoft Pretty Much Gets its Way with Lindows