"Now documents sent out to developers are warning coders to avoid using the word when referring to the distinctive interface.
The warning is believed to follow on from an internal memo sent by Microsoft's Legal and Corporate Affairs department which said the company had been threatened with legal action over its use of the name.
The threat is believed to have been made by German retailer Metro AG, which owns trademarks on the word. Metro AG declined to comment on the claim.
Instead of Metro, Microsoft has told developers to simply refer to the blocky display as a "[b]Windows 8 style UI/[b]" for the time being.
In a statement, Microsoft said: "We have used Metro style as a code name during the product development cycle across many of our product lines. "
BBC News - Microsoft drops 'Metro' name for Windows 8
The warning is believed to follow on from an internal memo sent by Microsoft's Legal and Corporate Affairs department which said the company had been threatened with legal action over its use of the name.
The threat is believed to have been made by German retailer Metro AG, which owns trademarks on the word. Metro AG declined to comment on the claim.
Instead of Metro, Microsoft has told developers to simply refer to the blocky display as a "[b]Windows 8 style UI/[b]" for the time being.
In a statement, Microsoft said: "We have used Metro style as a code name during the product development cycle across many of our product lines. "
BBC News - Microsoft drops 'Metro' name for Windows 8
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