Lindows has changed the name of its desktop operating system to 'Linspire' in an attempt to halt international legal action by Microsoft over the 'Windows' trademark.

The Lindows website, lindows.com, has been replaced by linspire.com, and the my.lindows accounts of LindowsOS users will now be available at my.linspire.com, the company said.

"Despite our victories in the US and overseas, a name change is still necessary to counter Microsoft's strategy to sue us in courts around the world," said Michael Robertson, chief executive officer of Lindows, in a statement.

"We're hoping that this puts a halt on the international lawsuits. A Microsoft spokesperson has publicly stated that 'We're only asking that Lindows change their name', which is what we have done.

"By renaming our product, we are able to facilitate distribution of low-cost, easy-to-use desktop Linux."

Robertson said the two-year-old case between Lindows and Microsoft over the trademark 'Windows' will continue in the US.

The case is pending a decision as to whether Microsoft's appeal will be heard.

The name Lindows will still be used as the corporate name in the US in certain instances, Lindows said.