On: Microsoft abandon Metro name due to legal challenge

[crazygringo]

But how can there be trademark confusion between a retail store and an OS interface?

I'm really surprised at this. Or was Metro just a codename all along, the word never used in the Windows 8 product itself? In which case, not worth a fight?

[dangrossman → crazygringo]

Metro AG owns lines of consumer electronics stores. Microsoft owns a line of consumer electronics stores. The word Metro would have possibly appeared on signage, receipts, marketing, etc. in either store.

[skeletonjelly → dangrossman]

Wait Microsoft has stores?

[extesy → skeletonjelly]

Yes, they do: http://www.microsoftstore.com

[progrock → crazygringo]

Yeah and how can you trademark a word like 'Apple.' It beggars belief. How about Microsoft Metro?

[Zenst → progrock]

Oh the history of Apple vs Apple records (setup by the beatles - music group some heard of) is a realy good read.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps_v_Apple_Computer

[jopt → progrock]

Words aren't sacred. Words become names and names become words. It's all fairly fluid.

Future generations won't know what a college facebook is, and they'll think Google is an obvious name for a website where you google things.

[zanny → crazygringo]

I hear trademarks, patents, and copyrights still make sense anymore, and everyone should be surprised at how outrageously overbearing they are in this context.

Honestly though, after at least half a dozen stories a week on HN about patent, trademark, and copyright trolling, and decades of everyone experiencing the intellectual property minefield, no one should be surprised anymore that crap like this happens.

What is surprising is that it happened to Microsoft and they didn't wage legal warfare over it since they were so close to release.