Microsoft must rename SkyDrive after losing trademark case

After a UK court ruled that Microsoft's cloud service SkyDrive infringed on a trademark by major British broadcaster BSkyB, the Redmond giant has agreed to change the name of the service.

BSkyB says Microsoft has agreed to not appeal the ruling, and that in return Microsoft will be allowed to use the the branding "for a reasonable period of time to allow for an orderly transition to a new brand."

There are also financial terms involved, but neither company would disclose them.

Microsoft added: "We're glad to have resolution of this naming dispute, and will continue to deliver the great service our hundreds of millions of customers expect, providing the best way to always have your files with you."

This is the second time in recent memory that a European legal case has forced Microsoft to stop using a specific name for their services. In 2012, Microsoft stopped using the term "Metro" for its Windows 8 interface after German company Metro AG took issue with the marketing.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 31 Jul 2013 20:44

bobiroc

Wow... now you can trademark the name Sky?? It is one thing if this Sky cable had a service called SkyDrive but they did not. So with this ruling no one can put the word sky in their brand ever again right?

Are they going to sue MGM, Sony and it's affiliates for the James Bond movie Skyfall? What about Activision for their game Skylanders? I am sure there are many more.

Such a stupid lawsuit and bad ruling IMO.

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31.7.2013 20:52 #1

xaznboitx

apple suing for people having the word I , like Ipod, Ipad etc...

31.7.2013 21:10 #2

bobiroc

Originally posted by xaznboitx: apple suing for people having the word I , like Ipod, Ipad etc... actually I read it was only using the lower case "i" in front of a word starting with a capital. Neverminding that the lower case "i" was used by other companies before meaning internet capable before Apple did it. They were so egotistical about it they took the word iPhone from Linksys without asking and paid for it later when Linksys questioned it.

I could see if BSkyB had a product called SkyDrive but they do not. Them suing based on it could confuse customers in their little region of the world is just ludicrous.

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31.7.2013 21:16 #3

DVDBack23

Originally posted by bobiroc: Wow... now you can trademark the name Sky?? It is one thing if this Sky cable had a service called SkyDrive but they did not. So with this ruling no one can put the word sky in their brand ever again right?

Are they going to sue MGM, Sony and it's affiliates for the James Bond movie Skyfall? What about Activision for their game Skylanders? I am sure there are many more.

Such a stupid lawsuit and bad ruling IMO. There is a reasonable case here. If you are a Sky cable subscriber and you see an ad for SkyDrive, you are inclined to think that Sky is offering the service. It may be for a split second, but that is the assumption.

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31.7.2013 21:17 #4

bobiroc

Originally posted by DVDBack23: There is a reasonable case here. If you are a Sky cable subscriber and you see an ad for SkyDrive, you are inclined to think that Sky is offering the service. It may be for a split second, but that is the assumption. Well you know what they say about assumptions.... What about Mazda SkyActiv... Is it right to sue Mazda if it might confuse Sky Cable subscribers into thinking they are seeing an ad for some new service that may be an exercise program from SkyCable. Where does it end?? Maybe they should realize the term Sky is an word in the English language and can and will be used by other companies in any way they wish as long as it is not an exact duplicate of another product or service name.

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31.7.2013 21:32 #5

ivymike

Next thing you know, you won't be able to look outside because BSkyB patented it.....edited by ddp.

31.7.2013 21:48 #6

bloke2000

Is it just Sky not Sky Cable. BSkyB is broadcast from satellites, they is no cable service for TV broadcasting.

Just an FYI.

ta

1.8.2013 03:11 #7

hearme0

Originally posted by xaznboitx: apple suing for people having the word I , like Ipod, Ipad etc... And Tampax should sue Apple for using the word "Pad"

As for MS infringing on the word "Skydrive"........I looked but never found anything describing how, where, what and when BSKYB used the word "skydrive".........PHOOOEY!!

1.8.2013 17:06 #8

pmshah

Originally posted by bobiroc: Originally posted by xaznboitx: apple suing for people having the word I , like Ipod, Ipad etc... actually I read it was only using the lower case "i" in front of a word starting with a capital. Neverminding that the lower case "i" was used by other companies before meaning internet capable before Apple did it. They were so egotistical about it they took the word iPhone from Linksys without asking and paid for it later when Linksys questioned it.

I could see if BSkyB had a product called SkyDrive but they do not. Them suing based on it could confuse customers in their little region of the world is just ludicrous. This probably has more to do with wireless connectivity with the name Sky.

BTW there is a very popular Indian brand in the PC peripheral market - iBall. It has been in existence longer than Jobs even dreamed about iPhone!

5.8.2013 00:30 #9

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