report reveals, OneDrive is already being used by several businesses around the world. These include a motor parts manufacturer with strong ties with KFC in Malaysia, and an Australian maker of bolts that goes by the name Zipbolt — both are using the OneDrive designation commercially. And that’s not all, folks! That’s just the half of it. A car rental business run by AVIS is also using the OneDrive name, as is a car parts distributer somewhere in Portugal. As you can see, it’s a pretty mixed bag over here. Now whether this comes back to create more legal troubles for Microsoft, remains to be seen. Sure, the OneDrive name is still in preview, and is gradually being rolled out, with Redmond yet to make the full a final transition to this name. But this might be something that the company needs to consider, and keep an eye on, before it makes the final call. Or it just may be that it is comfortable with the legal aspects of using this name. Either way, let’s hope Microsoft knows what it is doing here.]]>
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If I’m not mistaken, you can use an existing name, as long as your use cannot be confused with another business already using it. The fact that you point out multiple businesses using the name kind of proves that point. And nobody is going to confuse Microsoft’s cloud service with a car rental business or motor parts manufacturer. It would need to be another business in the computer hardware or software industry. After Metro and SkyDrive, you can bet that MS has had their lawyers on this for awhile.
But how could Skydrive be confused with BSkyB?
I still want to know how someone trademarks the word Sky? WTF? Well i guess if a lower case i can be whored then the skies (oops) the limit.
Here we go again.
For the record, Microsoft could have fought BSkyB over the use of the name “SkyDrive”. But BSkyB’s lawyers basically told Microsoft, “Go right ahead. But we’ll see you in court over your use of OFFICE and WINDOWS!” brands. Um, Microsoft backed away from that in a heartbeat. Which is why they decided to change the name. BSkyB had a legitimate point.
And @TarkusLV:disqus is exactly correct. No way would Microsoft’s OneDrive be confused with a motor parts manufacturer … different business altogether, unlike BSkyB’s situation. It’s just that Microsoft couldn’t afford (and not just financially) to fight over the “Office” and “Windows” franchise names, and perhaps lost the case.