California-based DualCor has suedIntelover its use of "Dual-Core" in
its product labelling.
The lawsuit accuses Intel of misappropriating the DualCor
trademark with the result that DualCor has been "deprived of the
value of its trademark as a commercial asset".
DualCor makes small "ultra mobile" Windows-based PCs with
dual-processing technology.
DualCor filed for a trademark on its name in May 2004.
The US Patent and Trademark Office granted the trademark in July
2006. DualCor claims Intel was aware of DualCor and its name from
when it was established in 2003.
It is claiming damages against Intel and is seeking an
injunction against any further alleged trademark infringements.
While DualCor has picked out the largest chip maker that uses
the "dual-core" description to market high-speed chips that contain
two processors on a single piece of silicon, theoretically, the
firm could also go after
AMD,
Sun Microsystems and IBM, among others, who do the same.
Intel rejected DualCor's claims, although it said it was seeking
to settle the matter out of court.