Sony Ericsson ends trademark dispute

Sony Ericsson has put an end to its trademark dispute with the American telecomms company Clearwire, reports TT.

The Swedish-Japanese company filed a suit in January claiming that Clearwires logo is too similar to its own, with which it has been trading for many years.

Clearwire filed a trademark application in 2009 for its logo, a sphere with a swirl. At the time Sony complained and Clearwire agreed to stop using the infringing logo. However, the argument rumbled on, because Clearwire still used it on a range of products and services and in the same markets as Sony Ericsson, according to the suit.

“Sony Ericsson has for years used distinctive, recognized sphere with swirl green and silver/white logos (below) – which are federally registered trademarks – to advertise and brand its products and services,” Sony wrote in its filing.

“Sony Ericsson has spent millions of dollars on advertising and sponsorships to create goodwill and build an association with its sphere with swirl marks in the minds of consumers.”

Clearwire’s logo is “confusingly similar” the suit concluded, with Sony Ericsson reported to claiming damages of over $100,000.

Sony Ericsson began legal proceedings when when Clearwire announced plans to introduce a smartphone, which would, presumably carry the same logo. However following a hearing in the U.S courts, Clearwire have abandoned their plans to release the phone and the two sides have come to an agreement