Psion Countersues Intel in the Ongoing Netbook Naming Wars

Posted by | 03/01/2009 | 6 Comments

save-the-netbooks-campaign-fights-the-impending-trademark-threatIt looks like the lawyers for Intel and Psion (and I’m guessing Dell) are keeping themselves busy in the ongoing Netbook Naming Wars. If you recall, Psion Teklogix had decided to take back its trademark on the name Netbook, long after most believe it had become a generic enough term in the mobile computing space. Dell and Intel both have filed actions to have Psion’s trademark claims rendered moot for a number of reasons, one being that Psion didn’t sell the product anymore. Psion responded that this was wrong and that they did continue to sell their products just without making much noise about it. Indeed in the suit they lay out sales figures for the last 10 years.

Now, Psion has landed another punch and filed a countersuit (PDF) to Intel’s claim. Save The Netbooks has the details, and it looks like Psion is claiming unfair trade practices and unfair enrichment, among others, in trying to get Intel’s actions dismissed. (I think you can read that part as we want some of the dough you’ve made and will continue to make.)

Psion is asking for a jury trial, but I’m still betting this will all get settled somewhere along the way once all the legal manuevering is done.

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Category: Hardware

About the Author (Author Profile)

Warner Crocker is a professional theatre director, producer and playwright and also a Tablet PC enthusiast. He is also a Microsoft MVP for Tablet PCs. Send email to Warner.
  • sbtablet

    This is better than Peyton Place!

  • http://www.savethenetbooks.com/ Save the Netbooks

    From the details Intel revealed of their exchanges with Psion it sounded like this suit was bound to happen; perhaps they were smart in filing first and turning it into a counter-suit?

    Anyway we’re going to reserve judgment on whether Intel should pay for their involvement in popularising the term since the start of last year – it’s not for us to decide now anyway. For us it’s more about protecting the interests of consumers by maintaining fair competition in the space.

    StN

  • http://www.gottabemobile.com Warner Crocker

    Save the Netbooks,

    I love the optimism and altruism. But business is never about protecting the interest of consumers by maintaining fair competition.

  • Chuck

    Here is the best alternative to “netbook” that I’ve seen:

    http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/28/fidelity-electronics-vpc-netbook-is-all-up-in-your-business/

    Lousy device, but great name!

    Personally, I think Psion has a good case.

  • bill smith

    This is getting to be a joke.

    Psion has had little if any sucess with their products of late. They have become a ‘me to’ company with no sucessful innovation.

    netpad = failure
    netbook = failure

    ROHS was a major undertaking for the little engine that could not

    I would like to be open minded, but it appears that the legal team is trying to generate revenue to offset sagging psion sales.

    I welcome the day when psion will return to sucessful products. The law suit route is not going to get them there or raise the capital to develop new products.

  • Ben

    eh, maybe intel et.al. should just quit with the ‘netbook’ thing and get to work on making decent MIDs. that’s where they want to go anyway.

    …just make sure some no-name-company didn’t patent the term ‘MID’ ;)

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