There are lawsuits galore in the smartphone world and Sony Ericsson is the latest to join in. The company has decided to go after WiMax operator Clearwire’s logo saying that it looks deceptively similar to its own. Sony Ericsson says its logo is well recognised in Europe but in the rest of the world people are likely to confuse the two companies’ brands, particularly since Clearwire plans to manufacture smartphones.
According to the complaint filed by Sony Ericsson in the US District Court, the only company with a Green Swirl logo was Sony Ericsson, and the design chosen by Clearwire is too close for comfort. The lawsuit requests the court to prohibit Clearwire from using the logo, and to make Clearwire compensate Sony Ericsson for any profits and damages that the company has suffered as a consequence of the wireless provider using the Green Swirl logo.
Though the logos appear different, when used as small dots on mobile handsets from Clearwire and Sony Ericsson, they might look similar. Sony Ericsson is looking for damages of at least $150,000. Clearwire had faced some financial trouble in November, after which it was forced to resort to cost saving measures including reduction of staff.