Psion Files Countersuit over ‘Netbook’

Last week, we reported that Intel had filed suit against Psion and their use of the “netbook” trademark.  However, Psion has recently filed a countersuit against Intel.  According to TechSpot.com, the lawsuit is almost identical to Intel’s, but Psion is reportedly seeking $1.2 billion.

Psion claims that Intel knew Psion owned the “netbook” trademark, but they still adopted the name.  As Psion stated:

Intel has acted willfully and maliciously, has unlawfully attempted to trade on the tremendous commercial value, reputation and goodwill of the Netbook mark, and has deliberately and intentionally confused and deceived the public as to an affiliation, connection or association of Intel with Psion, and/or as to the origin, sponsorship or approval of Intel’s goods and/or services.

In the original suit filed by Intel, the company claimed that Psion had stopped using the trademark in question.  But as the Channel Register reports, Psion claims it has already sold $13,650 in products under the “netbook” trademark this year.  Psion acknowledges that product sales are declining, but did state that they sold at leat $60,900 in 2008.

While this litigation from Intel was expected, many are questioning the claims that Psion is still successfully selling netbooks.  The two will soon head to court, and we’ll see how this all plays out.

Dell Challenges ‘Netbook’ & Accuses Psion of Fraud

In 2000, Psion trademarked the word “Netbook,” and has aggressively defended the word since.  Recently, Psion sent out cease and desist letters to stop sites from using the term, and Psion even convinced Google to remove netbook from its Ad Words advertising program.  But according to CrunchGear, Dell has issued a petition to cancel Psion’s trademark.

Dell is claiming that Psion has abandoned the Netbook trademark, because Psion does not currently offer laptop computers under the trademark.  Also, Dell states that Psion does not intend to resume use of the trademarked name.

Dell also cited “Genericness” of the netbook term, since many companies now make netbooks as well.  Psion is also accused of fraud, as Dell states that a senior product manager for Psion claimed they had been actively using the term for its notebook computers, even though that was not the case.

It’ll be interesting to see how this legal battle plays out, especially since Psion’s netbook has not been on sale for some years.  Also, since other companies have carefully avoided the netbook term, the outcome of the case may effect the names of future products.