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Psion Files $1.2 Billion Countersuit Against Intel in Netbook Case

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Holy high stakes, Batman, is Psion really seeking $1.2 billion from Intel in defending its claim to the netbook trademark? The answer is yes, and in addition to seeking compensation for all of "Intel's profits resulting from infringement, unfair competition, and unfair trade practices," as Psion alleges, the company also wants to collect punitive damages. Psion is also seeking to pluck the domain name www.netbook.com from Intel's hands.

If you haven't been following, Psion's trademark claim is based on a pair of ARM-based "netBook" and "netBook Pro" computers launced in 1999, which it appears to have stopped selling in 2003. Psion renewed the trademark in 2006, and then last December the company started sending out cease-and-desist notices to various OEMs and other firms over use of the term "netbook." Nobody listened, but it didn't matter, because it appears Psion was simply laying the groundwork for the suit we're seeing today.

Two weeks ago Dell filed a petition with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office asking that it cancel Psion's netbook trademark, for which Intel endorsed. Among the reasons listed is that "Psion has abandoned the 'netbook' mark" and does not currently offer laptops under the Netbook trademark. But Psion says this isn't true and has offered up a table of netBook-based revenue from 1999 through 2009, which as ArsTechnica points out, the numbers "are somewhat suspect." For example, according to Psion's numbers, customers purchased $2 million in accessoris for just $135,000 worth of netBooks.

Predictions on how it will all unfold? Hit the jump and tell us what you think!

COMMENTS:11
COMMENTS
avatarI am a little confused. 

I am a little confused.  Intel manufactures processors, not small laptops.  How did they really get involved?  So what if intel owns www.netbook.com, thats Psions fault for not picking it up.  And didnt the people as a whole start calling it a netbook, not some company?

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avatarActually thinking on it...

How does the law stand on WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) in regards to Psion ?

Seeing as Psion made the product.. surely to comply still with the WEEE directive they still have to take responsibility for the recycling aspect / cost offset for the product/brand and whole shabang for a number of years after initial sales.

Surely that must mean a trademark being intact also ?

Even though they currently don't sell the computer they still have an after support of some degree including replacement parts you would not buy a New £2000 PC for the company to turn around and say we discontined that a week after we sold it to you... now on your bike and hop it (Does not happen).

 

 

 

 

 

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avatarBottom Line

Psion owns the trademark, free and clear. Intel must license said use of trademark. Bottom line. That's the law as it is written.

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avatarWell obviously folks Intel

Well obviously folks Intel doesn't own the term "netbook", and if Psion can prove it, then so be it! Let Intel get what's rightfully handed to them, hopefully their ass!.

1st off, netbook is a term, not a peice of technology, so how is it slowing progress? 2nd, what do you think would happen if you decided to build a PC and sell it on ebay called "The Pentium"? They haven''t used that name in half a decade either! Does it still give you the right to use it if they own the trademark? Go ahead, use it. I'm sure Intel would love that.....

Intel, is a waste of money and my time. It's a matter of time till they fall from greed.

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avatarI think there perfectly in there right

I have the sister version (Psion7) and pretty sure the Netbook was still a supported platform when I re-downloaded the development environment last year.

Still a cracking and much sort after unit just look at the prices they command on ebay when they pop up (Netbook) that is and I am sure they also had a pro version running M$ windows CE4

So to me they still exist... they still have a development environment thus in my book Psion have valid rights to the name.
Just my 2€
Regards
Paul.

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avatarPsiwho?

Seriously, intel will clean them up. Intel and Dell are two BIG name companies that are world known. Psion is a company that if you said their name in a room of tech people, i would give a good bet most won't know about it.

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avatarare you kidding?

Psion has absolutely no case.

 

The whole concept of copyrights and intellectual property is BS already, and psion's taking that to an extreme.

 

This is just like when that woman tried to sue JK Rowling for using the word 'muggle' in harry potter.

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avatarIronically there was a

Ironically there was a British Filmthat came out years before JK Made her first book about a magical world hidden in a apartment complex and a evil goblin trying to consume the mortal world to bringthe magical world back to dominince.

 

The main protagonist?

 

Harry Potter.

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avatarSo it is okay for Intel to

So it is okay for Intel to try and squash these guys just cause they have not used it in a few years?  Thank goodness you folks do not write and enforce the rules.  There are a lot of angles on this, but the fact is Psion owns the trademark and have every right to defend it when it is used without their permission.  I am quite anxious to see how this plays out.  I am not partial to Psion, but Intel's claims seem pretty pathetic to me.

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avatarAs much...

As much as I root for underdog at times, Psion, you're done. Those numbers are really odd, and no one has heard of you before now. They won't win this case, becaues they refiled for it when they weren't even using it.

 

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avatarWell Done Psion

You have successfully wasted the worlds time stifling innovation just so you could baww about a trademark you haven't used in over half a decade, and failed miserably.

you had a product called the netBook. No one cared and now years later, netbook is a general term for a cheap notebook.  

Get over it and stop wasting people's time.

 

 

 

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