February 19, 2011 12:39 am EDT

Qualcomm fends off Smartbook AG, can legally write 'smartbook' on the platform's tombstone

It's perhaps a little too little and a little too late, but Qualcomm can now use the word "smartbook" to describe low end smartphone/laptop hybrids -- the sort of machine the company's CEO says have been all but killed off by tablets. The unfortunate legal action initiated by Smartbook AG way back in 2009 has now been deemed invalid by the German Patent and Trademark Office. The combination of the words word "smart" and "book" are no longer covered by German trademark law, which seemingly leaves Smartbook AG in a rather more vulnerable position than it was in before. Not as vulnerable as the poor smartbook platform, though.

Qualcomm fends off Smartbook AG, can legally write 'smartbook' on the platform's tombstone originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 19:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original Link: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/qualcomm-fends-off-smartbook-ag-can-legally-write-smartbook-o/

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