Sony Ericsson files lawsuit against Clearwire over 'swirl'

Sony Ericsson has taken exception to Clearwire Corp. (CLWR) logo, filing a lawsuit late last week in a Virginian court alleging trademark infringement from Clearwire’s use of a “sphere with swirl logos” that it claims is similar to Sony Ericsson’s logo.
In its lawsuit, Sony Ericsson claims it has spent millions of dollars in advertising and sponsorship around its “recognized sphere with green swirls and silver/white logos,” and that Clearwire’s swirl logos are “confusingly similar to Sony Ericsson’s sphere with swirl registered trademarks.”
The claim also notes that in 2009 Clearwire attempted to trademark a reversed color image of their currnent logo, but was rebuffed. The similarities came to a head last year when Clearwire announced plans to begin selling smart phones that would be in direct competition with Sony Ericsson’s own attempts to sell similar devices. Clearwire has since delayed its smart phone plans until later this year.
“Use of the infringing sphere with swirl logo on the announced smart phone will further exacerbate that confusion,” Sony Ericsson notes in its lawsuit. “Unless enjoined, defendants’ current and announced conduct will confuse consumers and cause irreparable harm to Sony Ericsson.”