Could the Sky fall on Skype?
Under a lengthy “risks” section in its IPO filing, Skype warns its trademark applications are being opposed in Europe and several other countries – in one case, by pay-TV platform BSkyB (NYSE: BSY), which says it owns the mark for the “Sky” in “Skype”...
The judgement could mean Skype having to pay license fees to BSkyB in order to go on using its name and logo here, Skype concedes.
News Corp (NSDQ: NWS). owns 39 percent of BSkyB, which is one of the world’s most successful pay-TV operators, and has asked for clearance from European and UK antitrust authorities to buy the remainder.
BSkyB owns Sky trademarks for a number of purposes. It has been opposing several Skype applications since 2006, records show.
Here’s the passage…
“In particular, in the European Union, India, Norway and Brazil, our applications in respect of the Skype name are being opposed by BSkyB plc., a British satellite broadcaster, Internet service and telephony service provider, or by one of its affiliates. These oppositions are based on BSkyB