Dive Brief:
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Security expert John McAfee asked a court in New York to issue an injunction to stop Intel from launching a new security business using the McAfee name, according to CIO.com.
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According to the request, filed Tuesday, John McAfee wants to stop Intel from "selling, trading, assigning, leasing or otherwise transferring any alleged rights, in whole or in part, relating to any marks, names, trade names, or entities containing the word 'McAfee.'"
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Intel acquired McAfee Inc. in 2011 and uses the name for its security products and services.
Dive Insight:
Intel and investment firm TPG announced in September that they planned to establish a jointly-owned, independent cybersecurity company called McAfee, creating one of the world's largest cybersecurity companies. An injunction could prevent the deal from going through, at least from a branding perspective.
The McAfee name is important to Intel. Considering the difficulties other cybersecurity companies have faced in the evolving market, McAfee's independence and name recognition could allow the new Intel/TPG company to flourish.
Prior to the Intel/TPG deal, MGT announced it planned to collaborate on a new security venture with John McAfee. That company would be dubbed John McAfee Global Technologies, Inc. Intel reacted to that news by threatening legal action and proclaiming that only Intel has the right to use the name McAfee for security products and services.