Microsoft Rebrands SkyDrive as OneDrive Following BSkyB Dispute

Microsoft has announced that its popular SkyDrive cloud storage service will now be called OneDrive, following a naming dispute with the UK boradcaster British Sky Broadcasting Group (BSkyB).

A Microsoft spokesperson told IBTimes UK that the company doesn't have a specific launch date for OneDrvie yet but will have "more information about its availability within Microsoft products and services soon."

Microsoft also hasn't confirmed if it will force current users to change the way they use the service because of the name change.

BSkyB took Microsoft to court over SkyDrive and in July 2013, a UK court found in favour of Sky. The court found that BSkyB holds the "Sky" trademark for all forms of software and digital communications within the EU, and the ruling would have forced Microsoft to have to pay to continue using the SkyDrive name.

Why OneDrive?

Microsoft and BSkyB reached an agreement which included financial terms, but these have not been disclosed.

Microsoft did not appeal the ruling, and at the time BskyB said that it would permit Microsoft to continue using the SkyDrive brand name "for a reasonable period of time to allow for an orderly transition to a new brand."

In a blog post on its new OneDrive preview website, Microsoft does not explain why SkyDrive has changed its name simply saying: "Why OneDrive? We know that increasingly you will have many devices in your life, but you really want only one place for your most important stuff. One place for all of your photos and videos. One place for all of your documents. One place that is seamlessly connected across all the devices you use. You want OneDrive for everything in your life."

However SkyDrive Pro, Microsoft's premium version of the service, meant for enterprises, will now be branded SkyDrive for Business.

This is not the first time Microsoft has had to change its product names. In 2012, Microsoft suddenly dropped the "Metro" name which was used to refer to the new Windows 8 user interface and design language.

While Microsoft never confirmed why it stopped using the name, it is believed that Microsoft dropped the name after retailer Metro AG brought a lawsuit against it.