Facebook settles with Timelines Inc.

Chicago company that made a loud stink about trademark infringement settles quietly with the social network.

Mark Zuckerberg introduces Timeline at F8 2011.

(Credit: James Martin)

Facebook has finally put to bed a 19-month legal battle with Timelines Inc., the Chicago company that was suing the social network for trademark infringement.
Facebook said Thursday in its 10-Q quarterly report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it had reached agreement with Timelines Inc. to settle the dispute. The social network did not disclose the terms of the settlement, but indicated that the cost was not material to its business.

Timelines Inc. filed suit against Facebook in September 2011 after the social network unveiled that its new member profiles would be called Timelines. Facebook sought to invalidate the Chicago company's claim to the Timelines trademark, but was unsuccessful in its endeavor. The matter was eventually scheduled for a late-April jury trial that never happened.

In the 10-Q, Facebook separately noted that first-quarter general and administrative expenses increased by 69 percent from the year-ago quarter to $176 million. Legal settlement costs, which also included a Q1 patent settlement with Summit 6, were mentioned as a primary reason for the year-over-year increase.
Facebook declined to comment on the settlement.