Rupert Murdoch claims to own the 'Sky' in 'Skype' - Online, Media - The Independent

Quote:

Rupert Murdoch’s BSkyB is fighting a legal battle with the internet telecommunications pioneer Skype, claiming that it owns the “Sky” in “Skype”. Skype yesterday announced that it plans to float on the Nasdaq stock exchange in New York. BSkyB's legal challenge to Skype using its name within the EU was revealed in the 250-page document announcing the intended flotation. Skype notes that its applications “in respect of the Skype name are being opposed by BSkyB plc”. The company says that it has won the right to use its name in Switzerland, Turkey and Brazil, but that the European Union has ruled against it. Skype intends to appeal the decision “if necessary to the General Court at the Court of Justice of the European Community”.

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Presumably he not only believes he owns the 'sky' in 'skype' but the 'sky' in any and every company. Nice.

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I was wondering if he was going to sue whatever Hollywood major came up with "Vanilla Sky"...

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Presumably these guys own the rest. Nice windfall for them.

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I think it'd be best if the EU judgement was overturned. I thought only the US would do such a thing. There was a famous dispute between Porsche and Porcher (it makes toilet seats: Toilet Seat - Porcher Toilet Seats). At the time, they went for litigation as they thought that, being a registered trade mark in their own right, Porsche didn't have a leg to stand on. But it didn't work out like that: Eventually, faced with ever rising legal bills and no final decision in sight, they had to withdraw from the American market.

I am rather upset to learn that this shit is happening in the EU...

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