Here is the text from ft.com
Microsoft could be forced to delay the launch of its long-awaited Xbox games console because of a trademark dispute with a small Florida-based company.
The leading software group is gearing up to launch the Xbox into a crowded market this autumn with a $500m publicity campaign.
But Xbox Technologies, a holding company with a stable of software businesses, insists it has first claim on the Xbox brand and says it is prepared to go to court to protect its trademark.
Any hold-up in the launch would be a huge embarrassment for Microsoft. The company has already recruited more than 150 developers to produce games for the Xbox - its first major hardware product which will compete with Sony\'s Playstation 2.
Xbox Technologies filed the first of its 47 current applications for the Xbox brand with the US Patent and Trademark Office back in March 1999. It plans to use it as an umbrella name for its software companies as well as a name for specific software products.
Microsoft filed its first application in October 1999. But John Van Leeuwen, chief executive of Xbox Technologies, said the first he knew about Microsoft\'s involvement was early in 2000 when he heard the news of Microsoft\'s ambitions in the games arena.
Mr van Leeuwen said he contacted Microsoft soon after, kicking off a round of negotiations that have yet to bear fruit.
"There\'s no way that we can co-exist," he said. "We can\'t afford to have our business confused with games for kids. Either we find a business solution or we get into a legal battle."
Mr Van Leeuwen said he had already offered to buy out Microsoft\'s claim on the name, but was rebuffed. He would not comment on whether he would be willing to sell his rights to the brand.
A Microsoft spokesman said he was aware of the situation but could not comment on ongoing negotiations. "We\'re certainly confident about what the outcome will be - we will prevail."
Jessie Marshall, a USPTO attorney said it was now up to one of the companies to back down, reach a settlement or fight for adjudication.
Microsoft could officially oppose Xbox Technologies\' prior claim and push for an adjudication from the USPTO\'s appeals board. "But once an opposition is instigated, it can take years to resolve," said Ms Marshall.
The USPTO said there was nothing to stop Microsoft releasing an Xbox-branded machine while the dispute was unresolved. But a product launch would leave Microsoft vulnerable to a legal challenge from Xbox Technologies which could ask the judge for an injunction, freezing the release.
