European court rules Skype’s name is too similar to UK based Sky broadcaster

[AlexGoesHigh]

This isn't the first time Microsoft and Sky have disputed trademarks ownerships, the last time was with SkyDrive which ended in Microsoft renaming it to OneDrive globally due to the court failing in favor of Sky, now the situation seems to start repeating itself with Skype. a EU court has ruled that Microsoft’s Skype logo and name is too similar to the Sky broadcaster. The judgment will prevent Microsoft from registering a trademark for the Skype name and logo design in Europe.

 

Microsoft is already appealing the decision and fully disagrees with the outcome, a spoke person provided the following statement

We’re confident no confusion exists between these brands and services and will appeal. This decision does not require us to alter product names in any way.

Microsoft has already affirmed this outcome won't require a name change to Skype, Sky can now request licensing fee's for the brand across Europe. Sky originally filed its complaint in 2005, six years before Microsoft completed its acquisition of Skype for $8.5 billion. The complaint centers on the registration of the Skype trademark, rather than its usage. It’s not clear how Microsoft intends to protect its Skype name if an appeal fails, and that could allow others to use the Skype name for their products.

 

British Sky Broadcasting Group provides ISP, TV and telephones services in the UK among others

 

source: the verge

 

IMO if the appealing fails, MS has to change the name, i'm sure they don't mind that much to pay licensing fee's but they sure as hell ain't going to let some company use the skype name for anything else while the service still uses that name, we have to wait and see how this procedes in the future but if they changed a product name in the pass, they sure can do it again. also if they decide to change the name, take the opportunity and fix some of the issues it has been plagued for a couple of years now

[TheMcSame]

Inb4 Onepe

[Victorious Secret]

This is pants on backwards stupid. 

 

Skype has a fuck ton more global appeal than Sky TV. SkyDrive made some sense, it was so new and the One moniker fit better with their cloud services but Skype? Thats basically a internet staple of a program.

[beach_boy98]

My terrible isp strikes again.

[Tedster]

This is stupid.

 

I've never even heard anyone say them in the same sentence.

[Mo5]

Stupid things like this happen http://money.cnn.com/2011/02/10/autos/ford_ferrari_f150/

[KirbyTech]

I see no point in them changing the name or paying to use it. Skype is not too similar to it to be a problem. Everyone knows Skype is owned by Microsoft so I don't see an issue here other than the Eu are being retard again.

[beach_boy98]

This is stupid.

 

I've never even heard anyone say them in the same sentence.

Same. 

[DildorTheDecent]

>EU court.

 

Everybody is insane there. 

[Goldensapling]

I think I just got downs...

[Snadzies]

I really don't see the visual similarities nor have I or anyone I know confused the two.

[Guest]

Someone either needs to go back to law school, or school itself. In no way do i see those two as being similar, nor would i ever confuse the two... What is wrong with these people. 

[Trik'Stari]

ISP's being greedy psychopaths again. Big surprise.

 

-snip

 

Someone either needs to go back to law school, or school itself. In no way do i see those two as being similar, nor would i ever confuse the two... What is wrong with these people. 

You've never argued with a lawyer I take it?

 

To them there is no right or wrong, correct or incorrect, just "make a convincing argument"

[Fulgrim]

Inb4 Onepe

Onepepe

[A.D.A.M]

How would anybody mistake Skype(it's like synonymous with video calling... Kinda like google=search) and Sky...

[Sidiox]

Wtf. Skype is fucking a world wide known thing. Sky isn't. They should both just keep their name, or Sky should change their name. 

[LAwLz]

This is pants on backwards stupid. 

 

Skype has a fuck ton more global appeal than Sky TV. SkyDrive made some sense, it was so new and the One moniker fit better with their cloud services but Skype? Thats basically a internet staple of a program.

You have to remember that the lawsuit has been going on for 9 years now. It started back when Skype was still small and new.

The ruling would probably have made sense back then but right now I think it's kind of stupid. But then again, should the ruling be based on the facts when the complain was filed or when it was finished?

[atrash]

Damn,you beat me to this..I was about to post the news. But seriously, I've never heard anyone complaining about getting confused with SKY and Skype. Even the least tech savvy person can tell the different between those two services because of the obviously Skype has so much wider global appeal than SKY. GG EU..

[TooManyErrors]

So we can't use the word "Sky" in any product names now?

[A.D.A.M]

So we can't use the word "Sky" in any product names now?

hey maybe sky does minecraft is next. Who knows, people might mistake it as Sky doing minecraft

[asim1999]

Skydrive and now this....

[Kherm]

MSN Messenger, please!

[reapersivan]

My parents have SKY TV, for Mexican channels

[WereCat]

Inb4 Onepe

I am also excited to see new Onelake CPUs from Intel.

[AxelRantila]

Soon we'll probably be playing Cities Onelines