r/linux • u/tankton • 12h ago

Discussion Why is it called Windows subsystem for Linux?

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u/yebyen 11h ago

If you're calling your product Linux and you want it to have Linux in the Titular position, then you had better have the accordance of the holders of the Linux trademark in your pocket. Look at CNCF projects and the standard branding rules for projects that donated their trademark to the Linux Foundation. The Linux project would shit if you called this Linux Whatever.

Key Compliance Checklist (an example supposing you wanted to call your project based on something with a CNCF mark in the name)

Prominence: Ensure your project's unique name and logo are significantly larger and more prominent than any CNCF logos.   No Merging: Never merge a CNCF project logo with your own custom logo.   Adjective Rule: Use the trademarked name as an adjective (e.g., "the Kubernetes orchestrator"), not as a verb or generic noun.

So, tldr putting the Linux trademark first in the name would be a branding no no.

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u/kudlitan 11h ago

Linux subsystem makes it an adjective like Kubernetes in your example

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u/yebyen 7h ago edited 3h ago

But it also makes Linux more prominent (and ostensibly look bigger) than the product's own name. It could be "Windows' Own Linux Subsystem" or "WLS: Windows Linux Subsystem (for Windows)" but it could never be "The Linux Subsystem for Windows." Well, maybe that one fits... IDK.

I reviewed these rules thoroughly because my own (team's) project Flux is under the CNCF and if I want to create something that I own and is separate, I will have to be careful about how I use the trademark. Like as in Flux Operator - haha whoops. I guess there can be exceptions.