And so it goes. In similar fashion to the
psion "netbook" debacle, the German entity of Qualcomm was just hit with a restraining order for its use of the term "smartbook" as followup to
the smackdown issued on a German blogging site over the weekend. The preliminary injunction issued by a German court comes at the request of Germany-based Smartbook AG that claims it is being confronted with an "absurd" and "bold attack" on its brand name. The decision calls for a €250,000 fine in case of non-compliance with risk of arrest for contempt. Really Smartbook AG,
arrest? We imagine a number of vendors are frantically scribbling out the term "smartbook" from its placards that will be on display at the big IFA show in Berlin later this week.
posted Sep 1st 2009 5:21AM
It's VERBOTEN, bitches.
So... how does cleverbook sound?
I agree with the court here. You can't let one corporation trample on the brand of another just because it's smaller.
I know you're probably trolling, but this is a clear case of trademark camping... "smart" and "book" aren't even German words, and searching for this company on Google it seems the only thing of note that they're doing is suing.
Not trolling. I just looked at their website which says they've been around since 2001. The term "smartbook" didn't start floating around til much later than then. I just did a google search though, and I can see your point. It's difficult to find any information on the company that doesn't have to do with its lawsuit.
But that's probably because the story has been reproduced a lot, while they company itself doesn't maintain much of a web presence.
That "smart" and "book" aren't German words actually strengthens their case, since it makes the new word less generic.
I missed the 1-800 craze (1-800-collect, 1-800-call-att, etc.) I'm not going to miss out on this one! I'm going to go ahead and copyright all the x-book words I can think of!!
Let's see...
Webbook Intellibook Thinkbook Ebook Lapbook Circuitbook Brainbook
Dangit! Everyone I come up with already exists if you google it.
This is stupid!!! If I make something and call it a (lets say) netbook - but it will have something more powerfull inside (like quad core & stuff), but from the outside it will be in the same size as any other netbook... Ill be sued?
What the world has turned into? soon you wont be able to call your laptop as a laptop - maybe it will be a "something" netbook - just cuz some company though of calling it like that??
its stupid!
but those are MY THOUGHTS
Why not make a laptop called "Macbook" instead?
I can't see much difference here. The company called "Smartbook" wants to protect their brand.
It's should not be that hard for a huge company to check the local trademark offices (at least in US/EU) if the name is already in use.
Yup, don't mess with the Germans. Count yourself lucky its not 1942.
Just to be a dick, I would re-name it to something like "Smart-erBook"... or "Smart-estBook".... or "Computer formerly known as SmartBook"
Jerks.
Booksmart
Smartbook is the new dumbphone now. Sue me.
Change the name to the douche-stfu .... to honor all the douches who sue just to make a quick buck.
Douche-stfu.... all innovative products whose release is impeded by douche-bag companies suing to make a quick buck