Dick family takes legal action over Nexus One

Did Android steal from electric sheep?

7 January 2010 18:49 GMT / By Dan Sung

So it seems that the family of Philip K Dick is more than a little miffed that Google has chosen a name rather close to that of the Replicants from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? for the latest big mobile phone.

We reported the words of the sci-fi author's daughter before on hearing the use of the name Nexus One, but the action was stepped up today as the family sent a letter to the search giant asking the company to cease and desist from using the name.

Dick's daughter, Isa Hackett, said:

"Google takes first and then deals with the fallout later. In my mind, there is a very obvious connection to my father’s novel. People don’t get it. It’s the principle of it. It would be nice to have a dialogue. We are open to it. That’s a way to start".

Google explained the name of the phone as the idea of a Nexus being the meeting point of computer and phone, but few can help see a possible influence particularly with Android as the common feature. Legal developments as we get them.

Via: telegraph.co.uk

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Phones, Mobile phones, Google, HTC, gPhone, Nexus One