MSN Spaces Steals Ubuntu Logo?
Only some time after the launch of MSN Spaces a couple of bloggers are already claiming Microsoft has stolen the logo from the popular Linux distribution Ubuntu.
The logos surely look very similar in shape, angle and size but there is still the question if this was done on purpose. “Three (or more) people holding hands” is not very uncommon for pictograms in the community area.
Logo Comparison: MSN Spaces vs. Ubuntu Linux
Logo from community based Website Scripps
July 5th, 2005 at 6:08 am
It looks like the MSN Spaces people could use a diet
November 23rd, 2005 at 5:36 pm
The logo for “Human Rights First” http://www.humanrightsfirst.org is a closer match for the Ubuntu logo.
November 24th, 2005 at 2:38 pm
True, the “Human Rights First” logo looks even more similar to Ubuntu than MSN
December 16th, 2005 at 4:40 am
Most logos look similar to something else, and to be fair, Microsoft’s logo is only Arial with a very minor alteration.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I don’t think there would be any question as to who owns MSN Spaces (which would be the criteria for a legal dispute).
December 16th, 2005 at 6:54 am
Yes, getting inspiration from others is common in the world of design but I’m not perfectly sure at what point one would say a logo has been copied.
What’s for sure though is Microsoft is often inspired by other companies, developers, designers. Maybe too often.
January 30th, 2006 at 4:57 pm
[...] Es muy usual que una marca tenga semejanzas en sus imagenes. Suele suceder que una empresa de repuestos automotrices tenga uno similar a uno de, digamos, venta de “churros”… pero que msn no conozca el logo de ubuntu o viceversa…. mmmm … según brand infection fue msn quien le robó la imagen a ubuntu… y descaradamente! [...]
May 13th, 2006 at 12:19 pm
http://www.kosmaczewski.net/blogs/tech/archives/2005/12/similar_logos.php :)
August 8th, 2006 at 5:32 pm
[...] Los de Micro$oft creÃan que se quedarÃa impune la copia del logo de Ubuntu con el de MSN Spaces, no se a quienes ni a cuantos despidieron cuando algún alto ejecutivo se dio cuenta del error, por supuesto ese logo no se ve más en las páginas de Micro$oft sin embargo esto a quedado grabado para la eternidad en las páginas de los blogs que lo mostraron en su tiempo al mundo. [...]
April 9th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
Hey! Goed artikel, Jammer genoeg is mijn engels alleen erg slecht. Zelf bezoek ik vaak nederlandse msn websites. Er zijn veel nederlandse chat gerelateerde websites.
June 5th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Fantastic. It’s the same here in Wellington. Can be very annoying, but that’s life in our world.