Psion Suit Ends – You Can Say Netbook Now

The Psion suit has finally been ended, and Psion “has settled the trademark cancellation and infringement litigation brought in the Northern District of California with Intel regarding its trademark of the term ‘netbook’,”according to DigiTimes.

Psion has let out an official statement about the case:

The litigation has been settled through an amicable agreement under which Psion will voluntarily withdraw all of its trademark registrations for ‘Netbook’. Neither party accepted any liability. In light of this amicable agreement, Psion has agreed to waive all its rights against third parties in respect of past, current or future use of the ‘Netbook’ term.

Did money change hands? Nothing was disclosed, but it seems likely.

Last December Psion unleashed “cease and desist” letters to sites using the term ‘netbook’, claiming it infringed on their ownership of the Psion NetBook trademark. Intel responded by calling for the revocation of Psion’s trademark, and was backed by Dell, because (in DigiTimes’ words) “the company was no longer using the mark with a product currently on the market, and that the term ‘netbook’ had fallen into generic use.”

A jury trial was asked for by Psion in order to force “profits Intel made off of its infringement” to be directed to the company.

At least the dirty business is done with. The lawyers are paid, Psion will be quiet, and we can all say ‘netbook’ to our hearts’ content.

Via Guardian.