The new "black"

RIM is suing Samsung because it reckons there are already enough blacks in its neighbourhood/market.

RIM Sues Samsung Over the Word 'Black' in BlackJack By James Alan Miller

Canada's Research In Motion (RIM) has sued Samsung for trademark infringement at the U.S. Federal Court in Los Angeles. The reason: not only does the Korean manufacturer's new BlackJack smartphone feature a similar form factor to RIM's venerable line of BlackBerry devices, but it has a similar name as well, according to RIM.

If both companies are based outside the U.S., why would RIM file a lawsuit here? Because BlackJack is sold in this country. Cingular Wireless, which has long offered RIM's handhelds in the U.S., introduced the BlackJack about a month ago. It is the only operator in the world offering this particular Samsung smartphone right now.

According to RIM, BlackJack "constitutes false designation of origin, unfair competition, and trademark dilution". RIM's filing adds that "Samsung is misleading the public into falsely believing that Samsung's goods and services are connected with RIM's business."