this post was submitted on 19 May 2025
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I still will never understand why it's not called Linux Subsystem for Windows.
There's a trademark for Linux so Microsoft can't name a product starting with Linux.
https://xcancel.com/richturn_ms/status/1245481405947076610
So they can use Linux in the name, just not at the beginning? We're so stupid. Can they do Windows Subsystem for Coke? Or Windows Subsystem for McDonald's? Or Windows Subsystem for MacOs?
Good gravy.
I think trademark law has a strange history in the US
I'm sure it does, I was just being facetious.
Sorry, "gravy" is a registered trademark of Gravy, Inc.: https://trademarks.justia.com/854/89/gravy-85489026.html
I think this only applies to using the word “gravy” for payment services or a website referring to such a payment service. There was a prior trademark on the word for use with plush toy products.
Indeed, it's why Apple could be trademarked as the name of an electronics company. But you can't rock up to the trademark office and register "Pear" for a company selling pear-related products.
Yes, there are a bunch of trademarks on the word "gravy", in different industries. I was going to link to that one you mentioned, because for some reason despite being plush toy products, the company holding it was Bob Evans. But it's since been canceled, and the company name doesn't appear on the page, so I chose an active trademark instead.
Disney presents Good Gravy®️
Good Gravy®️ Presentation for Disney
I mean I guess it makes some sense. Linux Subsystem for Windows to the uninitiated might sound like it "comes from the Linux brand", whilst Windows Subsystem for Linux sounds more like its made by Windows.
Copyright is always stupid
This is trademark, not copyright
Yeah but they aren't wrong
Still doesnt explain why it wasn't called Windows Linux Subsystem (WLS)
Not in the spirit of free software, if you ask me.
I think it is because Windows has many subsystems, it's just that you don't hear about most of them aside from WSL.
So it is referring to the particular Windows Subsystem (of which there are many) that can run or emulate Linux.
Wait, Windows still has POSIX subsystem or is it only listed for documentation reasons (it was there at least in old NT days)?
I got hung up on this before too but it's apparently "Windows Subsystem for (using) Linux"
Maybe they just named it like the previous attempt: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Services_for_UNIX