Netbooks Not Netbooks… So What Are They?
| by Rob Jackson on February 9th, 2009 |
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A few weeks ago everyone and their dad’s mom’s nephew’s cousin’s friend was talking about Android Netbooks hitting the scene. But even Google would tell you they aren’t really “Netbooks” – for legal reasons.
The term “netbook” was actually trademarked by a company names Psion at least 8 years ago. Recently, portable computing devices – much more so than laptops – with WiFi or other form of web access have been commonly referred to as netbooks. According to CrunchGear, Psion sent out Cease & Desist letters saying that they own the right to the term netbook. While there have been no court cases to determine the legality, Google themselves have, in a way, ruled on the matter.
Google has banned the term “netbook(s)” from being used on Google Adwords, citing trademark violation. Sure, Google could be erring on the side of safety, but one would think that if Google came to this conclusion the United States Government very well could, too. Psion said they will only go after companies using the term netbook in situations they intend to profit on. Intel is using the term netbook in their own promotional materioal and even own the domain name netbook.com. Uhohs…
What term should Netbook be replaced with? Minibook? Intertiny? Portable Computing Device (PCD)? Lil WeenieTops? Lets coin a term here and force the industry to run with it just after we trademark it so we can earn some monies. Sound good? Let’s hear it…
1. Kearns wrote on February 9, 2009
Oddly, since my main computer is a 13″ laptop, I’ve been eyeing the new 10″ Dell Lil WeenieTop, and I’m diggin’ it…
2. Bagha wrote on February 9, 2009
“a company named Psion”? It’s weird that Psion is no longer is a tech standard name. Back in the 90’s they were the main competitor to Palm.
Also, they created the Symbian OS, which (in its evolved form) is one of the most prolific mobile operating systems (used on all Nokia and other smartphones).
The more you know!
3. Bad Johnie wrote on February 9, 2009
umm,, how about “net-tops”?
4. uncola wrote on February 9, 2009
there’s always UMPC or ultra portable laptop
5. Dingo wrote on February 10, 2009
How about simply coining them web-books. Is not net and def. rings the same.
6. Bagha wrote on February 11, 2009
The term Web-books would really dumb down their abilities. A web-book would be a device that lets you look at webpages (whereas a netbook is able to connect you to all the features of the internet).
Net=Internet
Web=World wide web (websites)
Yeah, you could argue that webcams are coined wrong, and you’d be right. They’re technically “netcams”.
7. Carmex wrote on February 11, 2009
By the same token, “netbooks” can do much more than simply allow you to use the internet. They function perfectly well as less-powerful, stand-alone computers. You can do word processing, play (possibly older) games, etc. The name “netbook” doesn’t prohibit them from doing non-internet tasks and nor would the term “web-book” keep them from doing non www-related tasks. It’s just a name…
8. anak sapi wrote on February 12, 2009
it’s just a name. Psion will not let anyone to use the name netbooks for commercial purpose. Why don’t just pick a name like “kontol”. After all, how in the world did they ever come up with a name like “yahoo!” and “google” ??
9. Save the Netbooks wrote on February 16, 2009
“Save the Netbooks” campaign launched to fight impending trademark threat
The “Save the Netbooks” campaign is fighting the impending trademark threat from Psion Teklogix, who have given until the end of March 2009 to cease using the term citing trademarks relating to a line of products discontinued over 5 years ago.
For more information visit http://www.savethenetbooks.com/.
10. Are we really serious wrote on May 21, 2009
Are we really that serious…I’m just learning how to text!
Call them what you want – they’re great!
11. Qualcomm Demos Android Smartbook By ASUS | Android Phone Fans wrote on June 1, 2009
[...] the battle for the Netbook trademark has officially come to an end, Qualcomm is straying from the term. In the (first) video shown below [...]