O No, Lenovo doesn’t like Framework’s circular power button

Image: Framework

Framework, the startup that produces modular laptops that are designed to be repairable and upgradable, is in a spot of legal trouble over the design of a power button. The circular design of the power button on one of Framework's designs is too similar to the "O" Lenovo uses in its "Legion" brand of gaming according to the startup.

"Consumers could believe that Framework's Broken O Case or the motherboards they cover are produced by, sponsored, endorsed, licensed, or otherwise affiliated withLenovo, when that is not the case."

Image: Framework and Screenshot: Lenovo.com

Framework has no power button design on its laptops. The circle can be found in the 3D printer case schematic that Framework released back in April, which allows customers to build their own miniature PCs using just the laptop's board. There is a nice overview of how the enclosure is supposed to work in this video.

Framework has released a repository of 3D printed reference designs for consumers to use with their products. The broken O design is very similar to the Legion Trademarks.

The @Lenovo legal team says we have to change the power button on our 3D printed case, so we’re opening up a Community contest! Whoever can come up with the best new power button design gets a free i5-1135G7 Mainboard. pic.twitter.com/aBM3xRIzTF

— Framework (@FrameworkPuter) August 18, 2022

I think I can see where the legal team is coming from. The power button design found on Framework's schematics has the same three lines breaking it up as the one in the Legion branding, which can be found on its website, as well as being printed directly on some of its laptops. It is a circle, one used only in a wordmark, and the other as a piece of hardware. Lawyers are gunna attorneys.

Framework doesn't physically sell anything with the offending power button design on it, so fixing the problem is theoretically as simple as uploading a replacement set ofcad files to git. Framework is holding a competition for its users to come up with a new design for its power button. The winner of the contest will get a free Mainboard.