It's settled: Microsoft won't be forced to turn the Xbox into a Ybox.
The software giant has reached an agreement with XBOX Technologies, a small technology holding company that will -- in exchange for an undisclosed reward -- alter its name and drop a challenge to Microsoft's use of the name "Xbox" for its upcoming video game console.
Details of the deal will be kept under wraps, according to the companies.
"It was a very, very mutually satisfying agreement," said Robert Koolen, vice president of marketing for Knowledge Mechanics, a computer-based education company that is the main holding of XBOX Technologies.
A Microsoft representative could not immediately be reached for comment.
When asked if the settlement entailed Microsoft paying XBOX, a source familiar with the situation said, "We are not disclosing details, but yes, one can imagine."
XBOX Technologies filed applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office to use the Xbox name in March 1999, more than six months before Microsoft made its first Xbox filing.
