Comic Transcript
BRIAN: OK team — “netbooks” are very popular ticket items these days, so we need to find a way to capitalize on them. Ideas?
ALICE: Well for one thing we can’t call them “netbooks.”
BRIAN: We can’t?
ALICE: No. A company called Psion owns an international trademark on the term. It’s been sending cease & desist letters to anyone trying to use the phrase.
BRIAN: What’s the generic term for netbook?
ALICE: “Sub-notebook.”
BRIAN: That’s terrible. “Netbook” sounds like sleek technology designed for a specific purpose. “Sub-notebook” sounds like crippled hardware foisted on an unsuspecting public.
SHELLY: Unfortunately true.
BRIAN: It seems we only have one option.
ALICE: Buy them out so we can own their patents and trademarked terms?
PHIL: Sue them into oblivion so their trademarks are no longer legally enforceable?
FRANK: Intimidate them until they’re too afraid to enforce their trademarks against us?
BRIAN: I was going to say “think of another cool word we can use instead of ‘Netbook.'” But you’re right… we have at least four options.
