Intel sues Psion

Intel has joined the fight against Psion over the "netbook" trademark, arguing that the public already uses the term in a generic manner to represent "extensions of the notebook category, smaller computers purpose-built for mobile Internet access," according to the Courthouse News Service. The chip-maker also pointed out that Psion trademarked the term for for a line of notebook computers that has been out of production since 2003.

In a similar filing, Dell asked the US Patent Office to revoke the "netbook" trademark. The company also cited the discontinued product line, while claiming that Psion has no plans to start building the systems again. Dell accused Psion's senior product manager Herb Turzer of lying about using the term into 2005. The filing also suggests that Psion lost control of the trademark when it allowed the term to become a commonplace description before it began its defense.

Several PC manufacturers have been using the term 'netbook' in advertisements and descriptions, while others have deliberately avoided the reference. Psion late last year sent cease and desist orders to a number of websites that it claimed were inappropriately using the trademark. The company did not say what action would be taken, but warned that its continued use would "damage" the trademarks.

By Electronista Staff