Microsoft may be phasing out the "Metro" name to prevent lawsuit

Ever since Microsoft went public with Windows 8, they’ve been using “Metro UI” to describe the tile interface and various other design elements found in their upcoming OS. Unfortunately, the company may not have sufficiently safeguarded themselves from all trademark troubles that exist in today’s corporate world, and they may be looking to stop usage of the “Metro” moniker.

Based on reports by publications such as Ars Technica, and The Verge, Microsoft has begun telling developers to stop referring to the Windows 8 environment as “Metro style” and to instead describe it as a “New User Interface” or “Windows 8-style UI”. In addition, rumor has it that the sudden change is due to a possible lawsuit by German company Metro AG, but neither company has confirmed the rumors.

On the other hand, Microsoft did affirm the moniker change and is claiming it is simply due to a naming transition. In a statement by a Microsoft spokesman, the official reason given is that “Metro style” was simply a codename used during development and Microsoft is now transitioning to industry dialog and commercial names as they get closer to the official launch on October 26^th. 

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