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.
Psion Fires Back At Intel In Netbook Battle
Intel’s challenge in the Psion netbook controversy has not gone unanswered. The chipmaker has responded by claiming that Intel’s business is “unjustly enriched” by its use of the trademark ‘netbook’.
The filing made by Intel said Psion was trying to benefit from the recent popularity of the term, not defend its creative rights. Psion, in responding, has certainly used fighting words:
“Intel has acted willfully and maliciously, has unlawfully attempted to trade on the tremendous commercial value, reputation and goodwill of the NETBOOK mark.”
The challenge by Intel noted that Psion didn’t use the netbook trademark for a full five consecutive years following its registration in the year 2000, thus nullifying its use to the term. Psion, in response, claims it was selling netBooks as late as 2003.
The chipmaker Psion has cited sales of its netBooks as being as high as 1.7 million in 2005, 2 million in 2006, and $586,000 in 2007.
For more info be sure to check out our original reporting of the Psion netbook controversy.
Via CNet.
Intel Opposes Psion Netbook Claim
Psion hasn’t stepped down just yet, but with the addition of another tech giant to its opposition, walking away may be the smart thing to do.
Intel has joined Dell in the fight against Psion’s claim over the term ‘netbook’, filing a legal request for courts to cancel the trademark. The arguments it makes are the same – netbook is too common and generic for trademarking, according to Intel.
We’re still waiting on the March 30 deadline for Psion’s response to its challenge, but the addition of Intel to the battle has raised the stakes on the word netbook quite a bit.
Via ComputerWorld.
