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EU blocks Microsoft from trademarking Skype logo
The General Court of the European Union has prevented Microsoft from registering the Skype name and logo claiming that it might be mistaken for telecommunications company Sky.
Judges at the EU court announced that, "Conceptually, the figurative element conveys no concept, except perhaps that of a cloud."
"[That] would further increase the likelihood of the element 'Sky' being recognised within the word element 'Skype', for clouds are to be found 'in the sky' and thus may readily be associated with the word 'sky'."
This follows an earlier ruling imposed by the High Court in London in 2013 preventing Microsoft from naming its cloud storage service SkyDrive, resulting in the service being renamed 'OneDrive'.
However, a renaming of Skype seems unlikely with a Microsoft spokeswoman saying, "The case was not a legal challenge to Skype's use of the mark, it was only against the registration."
"We're confident that no confusion exists between these brands and services and will appeal. This decision does not require us to alter product names in any way."
This could potentially lead to Sky seeking a licensing fee from Microsoft for continuing to use the Skype name, their success in such a pursuit might not be that unlikely given how tenuous the link was in this latest ruling.
0blivious
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#5064127 Posted on: 05/06/2015 11:13 AM
Only a mentally challenged individual could possibly have issue distinguishing the two. Sounds like the EU court is filled with mentally challenged individuals.
Only a mentally challenged individual could possibly have issue distinguishing the two. Sounds like the EU court is filled with mentally challenged individuals.
morbias
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#5064129 Posted on: 05/06/2015 11:14 AM
It just goes to show the EU's Microsoft hate train is still powering ahead at full steam.
If you are the type of person who confuses Skype with Sky then you'd probably be unable to use either service in the first place!
It just goes to show the EU's Microsoft hate train is still powering ahead at full steam.
If you are the type of person who confuses Skype with Sky then you'd probably be unable to use either service in the first place!
Juliuszek
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#5064131 Posted on: 05/06/2015 11:16 AM
EU please concentrate your efforts on regulations concerning bananas, cucumbers and other important topics. I use Skype, I use Google, I use Windows - please do not take it away from me. Thank you.
EU please concentrate your efforts on regulations concerning bananas, cucumbers and other important topics. I use Skype, I use Google, I use Windows - please do not take it away from me. Thank you.
KissSh0t
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#5064141 Posted on: 05/06/2015 11:30 AM
The EU trolling Microsoft as usual.
The EU trolling Microsoft as usual.
sykozis
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#5064143 Posted on: 05/06/2015 11:34 AM
It just goes to show the EU's Microsoft hate train is still powering ahead at full steam.
If you are the type of person who confuses Skype with Sky then you'd probably be unable to use either service in the first place!
The EU seems to have a growing hate for US based companies.... Just look at their investigation against Google (not that I disagree with the investigation itself).
It just goes to show the EU's Microsoft hate train is still powering ahead at full steam.
If you are the type of person who confuses Skype with Sky then you'd probably be unable to use either service in the first place!
The EU seems to have a growing hate for US based companies.... Just look at their investigation against Google (not that I disagree with the investigation itself).
Lane
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#5064144 Posted on: 05/06/2015 11:37 AM
Funny thing is Skype "name", was allredy exist way before MS acquire it. And the name and service, and what is skype is well known around the globe. ( it is not a new service and is used massively by enteprise and consumers, installed on a vast majority of mobiles devices and pc .
I can imagine the problem is coming more from telecomunications entreprise who still see in skype a large concurrent to their IP Phones buizness.
Funny thing is Skype "name", was allredy exist way before MS acquire it. And the name and service, and what is skype is well known around the globe. ( it is not a new service and is used massively by enteprise and consumers, installed on a vast majority of mobiles devices and pc .
I can imagine the problem is coming more from telecomunications entreprise who still see in skype a large concurrent to their IP Phones buizness.
panogr
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#5064145 Posted on: 05/06/2015 11:38 AM
danfim
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#5064148 Posted on: 05/06/2015 11:40 AM
Well, that's dumb.
Well, that's dumb.
sykozis
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#5064150 Posted on: 05/06/2015 11:42 AM
Telecom companies don't want competition in any form. That still doesn't justify the actions of the EU. Globally, Skype is the better known brand but it's owned by a US based company (Microsoft) so the EU feels threatened.
I can imagine the problem is coming more from telecomunications entreprise who still see in skype a large concurrent to their IP Phones buizness.
Telecom companies don't want competition in any form. That still doesn't justify the actions of the EU. Globally, Skype is the better known brand but it's owned by a US based company (Microsoft) so the EU feels threatened.
thatguy91
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#5064151 Posted on: 05/06/2015 11:44 AM
The only reason you would need to trademark it is if someone else decides to use the name as well. I wonder if that 'said' company, if it were EU based, would be allowed to use it despite possibly causing confusion with Sky and proper Skype. I think it probably would.
I think the investigations into companies funneling profits overseas to avoid paying tax is fair enough. I think not only should these big companies pay the tax, but be fined a bigger amount that the lost tax revenue if they get caught out doing so (maybe 3 times as much, you need to have it large enough to make it a deterrent). That's what the EU should be targeting.
The only reason you would need to trademark it is if someone else decides to use the name as well. I wonder if that 'said' company, if it were EU based, would be allowed to use it despite possibly causing confusion with Sky and proper Skype. I think it probably would.
I think the investigations into companies funneling profits overseas to avoid paying tax is fair enough. I think not only should these big companies pay the tax, but be fined a bigger amount that the lost tax revenue if they get caught out doing so (maybe 3 times as much, you need to have it large enough to make it a deterrent). That's what the EU should be targeting.
Fox2232
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#5064158 Posted on: 05/06/2015 11:57 AM
Welcome to retardistan, ups I meant EU.
Welcome to retardistan, ups I meant EU.
Lane
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#5064171 Posted on: 05/06/2015 12:49 PM
Well, here the situtation is even worst...
I was on a provider internet some years ago, a company who was essentially work with big company but offer too for simple particular internet conection.
15 years ago, they have launch the first " Phone by IP " essentially, something similar to skype, on your modem, you was connect your phone and use the internet connection for the call.. bypassing the regular telecom fees for communication. I can tell you they have not wait a long time for seen regular company creating protection against..
finally 3 years ago, they have cut the project and now regular telecom services, offer "Phone by IP" but at standard fee ...
Telecom companies don't want competition in any form. That still doesn't justify the actions of the EU. Globally, Skype is the better known brand but it's owned by a US based company (Microsoft) so the EU feels threatened.
Well, here the situtation is even worst...
I was on a provider internet some years ago, a company who was essentially work with big company but offer too for simple particular internet conection.
15 years ago, they have launch the first " Phone by IP " essentially, something similar to skype, on your modem, you was connect your phone and use the internet connection for the call.. bypassing the regular telecom fees for communication. I can tell you they have not wait a long time for seen regular company creating protection against..
finally 3 years ago, they have cut the project and now regular telecom services, offer "Phone by IP" but at standard fee ...
Extraordinary
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#5064172 Posted on: 05/06/2015 12:56 PM
Did Sky get permission from whoever invented the word for the great big open thing up there that has clouds and birds in it ?
-
sky
skyborne
skybox
skyboxes
skycap
skycaps
skydive
skydived
skydiver
skydivers
skydives
skydiving
skydivings
skydove
skyed
skyey
skyhook
skyhooks
skying
skyjack
skyjacked
skyjacker
skyjackers
skyjacking
skyjackings
skyjacks
skylark
skylarked
skylarker
skylarkers
skylarking
skylarks
skylight
skylighted
skylights
skyline
skylines
skylit
skyman
skymen
skyphoi
skyphos
skyrocket
skyrocketed
skyrocketing
skyrockets
skysail
skysails
skyscraper
skyscrapers
skywalk
skywalks
skyward
skywards
skyway
skyways
skywrite
skywriter
skywriters
skywrites
skywriting
skywritings
skywritten
skywrote
Did Sky get permission from whoever invented the word for the great big open thing up there that has clouds and birds in it ?
-
sky
skyborne
skybox
skyboxes
skycap
skycaps
skydive
skydived
skydiver
skydivers
skydives
skydiving
skydivings
skydove
skyed
skyey
skyhook
skyhooks
skying
skyjack
skyjacked
skyjacker
skyjackers
skyjacking
skyjackings
skyjacks
skylark
skylarked
skylarker
skylarkers
skylarking
skylarks
skylight
skylighted
skylights
skyline
skylines
skylit
skyman
skymen
skyphoi
skyphos
skyrocket
skyrocketed
skyrocketing
skyrockets
skysail
skysails
skyscraper
skyscrapers
skywalk
skywalks
skyward
skywards
skyway
skyways
skywrite
skywriter
skywriters
skywrites
skywriting
skywritings
skywritten
skywrote
Deathchild
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#5064176 Posted on: 05/06/2015 01:05 PM
Well that's quite a stupid reason... mistaken for the telecommunications company Sky, .. wtf? I smell a conspiracy.
Well that's quite a stupid reason... mistaken for the telecommunications company Sky, .. wtf? I smell a conspiracy.
Click here to post a comment for this news story on the message forum.
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The General Court of the European Union has prevented Microsoft from registering the Skype name and logo claiming that it might be mistaken for telecommunications company Sky....
EU blocks Microsoft from trademarking Skype logo
Given that both names are spelt different, I fail to see how someone could be mistaken.