Microsoft Rebrands 'SkyDrive' As 'OneDrive' After Opting Out Of Trademark Court Battle
Microsoft announced that is has renamed its long-running SkyDrive cloud storage and sharing service. From henceforth, it shall be known as “OneDrive”. In the short video Microsoft posting on its OneDrive blog announcing the change, the new message is that the service is “one” place for everything--your photos, videos, and so on.
If you’re wondering what cool new changes Microsoft is launching with the new brand name, here’s a complete list: Nothing. It’s just a new name.
“For current users of either SkyDrive or SkyDrive Pro, you’re all set. The service will continue to operate as you expect and all of your content will be available on OneDrive and OneDrive for Business respectively as the new name is rolled out across the portfolio,” wrote Microsoft General Manager of Consumer App & Services Ryan Gavin in a the blog post.
So why the name change? Microsoft found itself embroiled in a trademark infringement suit with broadcasting company BSkyB, which successfully lobbied the European Union to force Microsoft to change SkyDrive’s name. (Microsoft linked to this article in the blog post.)
At a time period in tech history where companies tie up massive resources suing the life out of each other, Microsoft could easily have appealed the ruling and kept the mess roiling indefinitely. Instead, to the company’s credit, it decided to just settle with BSkyB. That resolution involved the BSkyB allowing Microsoft sufficient time to transition to a new brand, as well as undisclosed financial terms.
If you’re wondering what cool new changes Microsoft is launching with the new brand name, here’s a complete list: Nothing. It’s just a new name.
“For current users of either SkyDrive or SkyDrive Pro, you’re all set. The service will continue to operate as you expect and all of your content will be available on OneDrive and OneDrive for Business respectively as the new name is rolled out across the portfolio,” wrote Microsoft General Manager of Consumer App & Services Ryan Gavin in a the blog post.
So why the name change? Microsoft found itself embroiled in a trademark infringement suit with broadcasting company BSkyB, which successfully lobbied the European Union to force Microsoft to change SkyDrive’s name. (Microsoft linked to this article in the blog post.)
At a time period in tech history where companies tie up massive resources suing the life out of each other, Microsoft could easily have appealed the ruling and kept the mess roiling indefinitely. Instead, to the company’s credit, it decided to just settle with BSkyB. That resolution involved the BSkyB allowing Microsoft sufficient time to transition to a new brand, as well as undisclosed financial terms.
