Editing Netbook (section)

== Trademarks and Psion lawsuit ==
[[File:OLPC XO next to a Psion Netbook 2.jpg|thumb|The [[Psion netBook]] from 1999]]
In 1996 [[Psion (computers)|Psion]] started applying for trademarks for a line of ''netBook'' products that was later released in 1999.<ref name="psion-press-release">{{cite press release |title=Psion Continues To Extend The Reach Of E-Business Strategies Beyond The Enterprise...Announces Support For Oracle8i Lite On Its New Netbook Device |date=October 26, 1999 |url=http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/release?id=16302 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608191451/http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/release?id=16302 |archive-date=June 8, 2011}}</ref> International trademarks were issued (including {{US trademark|75215401}} and [https://euipo.europa.eu/eSearch/#details/trademarks/000428250 EUTM 000428250]) but the models failed to gain popularity<ref name="arstechnica.com">{{cite web |date=February 17, 2009 |title=Save the Netbooks: fighting a trademark on extinct hardware |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2009/02/save-the-netbooks-fighting-a-trademark-on-extinct-hardware.ars}}</ref> and were discontinued by the time modern netbooks came about (except for providing accessories, maintenance and support to existing users).<ref>{{cite web |title=Psion Teklogix Discontinued Products |url=http://www.psionteklogix.com/Public.aspx?s=us&p=EOLProducts |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070517090710/http://www.psionteklogix.com/public.aspx?s=us&p=EOLProducts |archive-date=May 17, 2007}}</ref> Similar marks were recently rejected by the [[USPTO]] citing a "likelihood of confusion" under section 2(d).<ref>{{US trademark|77527311}} for 'G NETBOOK' rejected October 31, 2008.</ref><ref>{{US trademark|77580272}} for [[Micro-Star International|MSI]]'s 'WIND NETBOOK'</ref><ref>{{US trademark|77590174}} for [[Coby Electronics Corporation|Coby Electronics]]' 'COBY NETBOOK' rejected January 13, 2009.</ref>

Despite expert analysis that the mark is "probably [[generic trademark|generic]]",<ref name="patenthands">{{cite web |title=How To Lose A Trademark: "Netbook" Is Probably Generic |url=http://patenthands.com/ph-blog/how-to-lose-a-trademark-netbook-is-probably-generic/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324055132/http://patenthands.com/ph-blog/how-to-lose-a-trademark-netbook-is-probably-generic/ |archive-date=March 24, 2012 |website=Patent Hands}}</ref> [[Psion Teklogix]] issued cease and desist letters on December 23, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=Netbook enthusiast web sites getting C & D using term "netbook" |url=http://jkontherun.com/2008/12/23/netbook-enthusiast-web-sites-getting-c-d-using-term-netbook/}}</ref><ref name="psion-press-release" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Schofield |first1=Jack |date=December 24, 2008 |title=Psion threatens netbook sites over trademarks |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2008/dec/24/psion-netbook-threats |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> This was heavily criticized,<ref>{{cite web |title='Netbook' trademarked already, we're all doomed |url=http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/12/24/netbook-trademarked-already-were-all-doomed/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301180142/http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/12/24/netbook-trademarked-already-were-all-doomed/ |archive-date=March 1, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Chen |first1=Brian X. |title=Using the Word 'Netbook' Could Get You Sued |url=http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/12/using-the-word.html |magazine=Wired}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Cease and Desist: the netbook war of words |url=http://www.itwire.com/content/view/22488/53/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090311003644/http://www.itwire.com/content/view/22488/53 |archive-date=March 11, 2009}}</ref> prompting the formation of the "Save the Netbooks" [[grassroots]] campaign which worked to reverse the [[Google AdWords]] ban, cancel the trademark and encourage continued generic use of the term.<ref name="arstechnica.com" /> While preparing a "Petition for Cancellation" of {{US trademark|75215401}} they revealed<ref>{{cite web |title=Dell accuses Psion of "fraud" over netbook claims |url=http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/247933/dell-accuses-psion-of-fraud-over-netbook-claims.html}}</ref> that [[Dell]] had submitted one day before<ref>{{cite web |date=February 19, 2009 |title=Dell fights back against Psion netBook trademark rampage |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2009/02/dell-fights-back-against-psion-netbook-trademark-rampage.ars}}</ref> on the basis of abandonment, [[genericized trademark|genericness]] and fraud.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 20, 2009 |title=Dell Goes 'Nuclear' Over Netbook Trademark |url=http://www.crn.com/mobile/214502133 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223171727/http://www.crn.com/mobile/214502133 |archive-date=February 23, 2009}}</ref> They later revealed Psion's counter-suit against [[Intel]], filed on February 27, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |title=Newsflash: Intel counter-sued by Psion in "netbook" trademark lawsuit; jury trial demanded |url=http://blog.savethenetbooks.com/2009/03/newsflash-intel-counter-sued-by-psion.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303165628/http://blog.savethenetbooks.com/2009/03/newsflash-intel-counter-sued-by-psion.html |archive-date=March 3, 2009 |website=[[Save the Netbooks]]}}</ref>

It was also revealed around the same time that Intel had also sued Psion Teklogix (US & Canada) and Psion (UK) in the Federal Court on similar grounds.<ref>{{cite web |title=Intel Wants 'Netbook' Trademark Canceled |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/intel-wants-netbook-trademark-canceled/}}</ref> In addition to seeking cancellation of the trademark, Intel sought an order enjoining Psion from asserting any trademark rights in the term "netbook", a declarative judgment regarding their use of the term, attorneys' fees, costs and disbursements and "such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper".<ref>{{cite web |title=Complaint for Injunctive Relief, Declaratory Judgment & Cancellation of Federal Trademark |url=http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/02/16/IntelvPsion.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304075553/http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/02/16/IntelvPsion.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2009}}</ref>

On June 2, 2009, Psion announced that the suit had been settled out of court. Psion's statement said that the company was withdrawing all of its trademark registrations for the term "Netbook" and that Psion agreed to "waive all its rights against third parties in respect of past, current or future use" of the term.<ref>{{cite web |title=Psion, Intel settle 'Netbook' trademark dispute |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/psion-intel-settle-netbook-trademark-dispute/}}</ref>