02/18, 9:50pm
Qualcomm wins case, can keep smartbook title
Qualcomm scored an important if now largely symbolic victory in its dispute with Smartbook AG over the "smartbook" label. Germany's Patent and Trademark Office ruled that Smartbook AG's two trademarks on the formal name couldn't be applied to the generic term, which Qualcomm applied to any small, ultralight notebook using a cellphone-class processor and OS. Qualcomm can now use the term freely as long as it isn't in the formal context.
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02/26, 9:05am
Namesake laptop will be shown at CeBit in March
German computer maker Smartbook AG will introduce a new thin-and-light computer at the upcoming CeBit show in March. Despite its name, the Smartbook Logo unusually has nothing to do with the emerging "smartbook" category. It will instead edge toward full-featured notebook models with a 11.6-inch, 1366x768 display, an Intel CULV processor, 1GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive. It will also have an HDMI output and run Windows 7 Home Premium. Smartbook AG's PC is still light at just under 3 pounds.
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01/28, 5:05pm
Qualcomm wins order against Smartbook AG
The latest development in the legal battle between Smartbook AG and Qualcomm over the use of the term 'smartbook' reveals that Smartbook AG wasn't accurate in its touting of a victory in a German court. Smartbook AG did win a temporary restraining order against Qualcomm of using the term, it only prevents Qualcomm from using it in Germany and does not cover any other manufacturer or news source. Smartbook AG also received a reprimand from the German courts for misrepresenting its victory.
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11/17, 8:40pm
Qualcomm banned from using brand in Germany
German computer maker Smartbook AG has continued to threaten companies, including EE Times, that have been using the term "smartbook." The manufacturer recently sought a restraining order against the chip maker Qualcomm. Although Qualcommm and other companies, such as Freescale, use the term smartbook as a generic reference to portable Internet-ready devices that fall between the typical classifications for netbooks and smartphones, Smartbook AG has argued that it owns the sole rights to the trademark.
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