Kleinweder's Home Screens Site Shutdown by Microsoft Lawyers

[Mike Temporale]

http://smartphone.kleinweder.ch/downloads/index.php

"I'm very sorry, but "Micro S." marketing staff informed me today (Tuesday Mai 11, 2006) that I'm not allowed to make homescreens or show pictures which use any of their trade names, photos or logo. Unfortunately every screenshot shows their logo at the lower left corner which makes it impossible for me to continue my site."

This message is greeting anyone that heads on over to Kleinweder's site to download some of the best home screens available on the internet. Surely, this is not just about the Start button flag, or is it? Because that flag shows on every screen capture and preventing it would cause havoc on sites like Smartphone.net or Handango. Whatever the cause, I hope this is just a simple misunderstanding on Microsoft's part because if it isn't, the implications are huge. 8O :cry:

Update: Kleinweder's site is now back up. It looks like it was all a big misunderstanding. For all the details check out the post I made on page 4 - found here 8)

[Mike Temporale]

http://smartphone.kleinweder.ch/downloads/index.php

"I'm very sorry, but "Micro S." marketing staff informed me today (Tuesday Mai 11, 2006) that I'm not allowed to make homescreens or show pictures which use any of their trade names, photos or logo. Unfortunately every screenshot shows their logo at the lower left corner which makes it impossible for me to continue my site."

This message is greeting anyone that heads on over to Kleinweder's site to download some of the best home screens available on the internet. Surely, this is not just about the Start button flag, or is it? Because that flag shows on every screen capture and preventing it would cause havoc on sites like Smartphone.net or Handango. Whatever the cause, I hope this is just a simple misunderstanding on Microsoft's part because if it isn't, the implications are huge. 8O :cry:

Update: Kleinweder's site is now back up. It looks like it was all a big misunderstanding. For all the details check out the post I made on page 4 - found here 8)

[edgar]

OK, that just sounds stupid. I understand the reasons to protect your logo/brand but a thing like this that enhances your product and makes people feel better about your product?

Wasn't he using some screens that were knockoffs of Bliss? (by the way, so does some PocketPlus' themes on SPB's page, not to mention tons of others that use storm clouds or flowers to modify it) I think he also had a couple with the MS window pane in the background.

Even then, these are themes that are not attacking MS with things like "not" signs over the logo, or calling them "Microsloth" or anything. Just nicely done artistic themes. Maybe MS is getting ready to release a themepak for money that used some of the same modifications?

BAH!

[SPPassion]

This is plain CRAZY!!! Just when MS Mobile OS is getting some attention, they have to do something stupid like this to turn off potential future consumers/developers. This is just the beginning, does this mean they may start going after other great theme sites such as Nectin or Juni's??? I hope this is just some sort of misunderstanding....

[seaflipper]

It's probably the combination of the near naked (if not naked) ladies and the MSFT branding that is the problem with MSFT.

Not to mention that his home screens are better than most of the carrier's custom home screens!

I always thought MSFT would buy him out anyway and get him to work for them, I thought his stuff was some of the best/cleanest/easy to use out there.

[guapoharry]

This story is nutty. Apparently, to the MS legal team Kleinweder was harming Microsoft by infringing on trademarks or other property, rather than enhancing their product through creating cool themes that users like.

It's the MS way, or it's a lawsuit headed your way.

[Rocco Augusto]

this has to be the most retarded move microsoft has ever made. thats right, i said it, retarded.

what ar you gonna do next? make smartphones illegal to own because they have the windows logo on them? hmmmmmmmm? or tell people they cant use anything besides the crappy blue homescreen that comes with all phones? huh? well,, i think theyre just being stupid.

EDIT: alright i had a second to cool off. how much do you want to bet this isnt really the work of microsoft and most likely the work of some over zealous lawyer. personally i dont think the windows mobile division would be anything less than flattered with the work that was presented on their site. i mean microsoft goes as far as having articles online to show people how to make their own homescreens. this has retarded lawyer written all over it.

[extravagant]

wow I can't believe Microsoft did that... who does that? It MUST be a misunderstanding. I mean, his contributions were so significant, thats the only reason a lot of people including myself bought an MS smartphone, because of the mass customization, and now microsoft is hindering this..

really incredible, just shows how mighty Microsoft is and how they don't care, BOYCOT anyone? The smartphone market exists because of us, not the average person. ASK anyone down the street what a Microsoft smartphone is, they wouldn't know.

Reallllly sad, but I have to say, may be he should fight back, and not be intimidated by Microsoft I'm not a lawyer, but he must have some sort of defense that would allow him to continue, afterall, hes not selling them...

Microsoft = reallllyyyyy bad company and recently in that report it even shows consumers don't like/trust microsoft.... GOOGLE!!!!! I can't wait till that Google OS is released

[xultar]

Well if it is true with all the 1/2 and fully neekid babes themes I can see why.

Though it helps the product with 1/2 the population. Personally I get really sick of having to weed through neekid babe themes. I get sick of seeing them too. From my perspective it alienates atleast 1/2 of their possible customer base.

I'm sure sites that don't host neekid themes won't have an issue though this does set a precedence.

What is it with guys and neekid women themes? Why not just be adults about it and not go the neekid lady route?

[Kris Kumar]

Originally Posted by xultar

What is it with guys and neekid women themes?

I want to meet the guys who are brave enough to have such wallpapers. I seriously do. Would like to know what makes guys download those themes. To me it is just not practical. And I am sure that must have made it easy for the Micro S think tank to come to a decision.

It is a shame that a creative and talented designer has been asked to remove the wall papers that infringe the trademarks, but surprised that Kleinweder has not vowed to bounce back with more cool themes. :-)

[Mike Temporale]

Originally Posted by Kris Kumar

but surprised that Kleinweder has not vowed to bounce back with more cool themes. :-)

He can't. From the wording on his site, he can't even display an image that contains Microsoft's logo. Every screen capture has their start flag on the lower left corner. So, regardless of the theme he creates, he can't post a picture of it without cropping the image and by doing that, you can't get a feel for the colours in the theme. :?