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Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
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lightning_connector.jpg
Patently Apple reports on European trademark registration data showing that Apple has acquired at least partial rights to the "Lightning" name used for its new iOS device dock connector from motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson.

The transfer appears to have been required because of Harley-Davidson's ownership of the trademark under Class 28, which includes toys and games.
The explanation for this clash of covered items under Class 028 likely relates to what we pointed out in area # 3 noted above. There it states that there was a "partial transfer." Meaning that Harley-Davidson may have retained the ability to use certain aspects of the trademark relating to the motorcyle parts and so on. The specifics of the partial transfer weren't revealed.

Under Class 28, UPSTO points out that that "This Class includes, in particular: amusement and game apparatus adapted for use with an external display screen or monitor."
It is certainly not unusual for Apple to have to pursue trademark acquisition for its marketing terms, and it frequently seeks to use simple and/or common words that are in many cases already protected by other entities.

One notable recent case involved Apple's efforts to secure the "iPad" trademark in China, an effort that resulted in a $60 million settlement after the trademark's original owner claimed that Apple had originally purchased the mark from the wrong subsidiary. Apple had obtained the U.S. trademark rights for "iPad" from Fujitsu, while the company had previously reached a deal with Cisco for the "iPhone" name.

Article Link: Apple Acquired 'Lightning' Trademark from Harley-Davidson
 

bigcat318

macrumors 6502
Dec 25, 2007
377
138
One of those trademarks that probably shouldnt have been allowed to begin with. Owning the rights to the names of natural occurences seems ridiculous.
 

D.T.

macrumors G4
Sep 15, 2011
11,050
12,460
Vilano Beach, FL
I heard they acquired both Lightening™ and AsslessChaps™






... the latter obviously part of J. Ives new iBiker fashion line ...
 

iMacFarlane

macrumors 65816
Apr 5, 2012
1,123
30
Adrift in a sea of possibilities
And woe be to any company that wants to use "Earth", "Wind", or "Fire" as part of their naming schemes. Those are the intellectual property of a certain band from the 70's, under license from Aristotle, Inc (a subsidiary of Empedocles, Corp).
 

FPCat

macrumors newbie
Jan 31, 2008
14
0
Clearly this means Apple will start making motorcycles in the future. Remember they made a deal with Apple Corps./The Beatles promising they wouldn't start going into music
 

Laird Knox

macrumors 68000
Jun 18, 2010
1,956
1,343
I would think that Ford would own the rights to that name since they had the "Lightning" F150's. :confused:

Image

If Ford trademarked the name AND if Apple starts making vehicles under the name Lightning. I hope most people won't confuse an iPad with a pickup truck. :)
 

Thunderhawks

Suspended
Feb 17, 2009
4,057
2,118
Clearly this means Apple will start making motorcycles in the future. Remember they made a deal with Apple Corps./The Beatles promising they wouldn't start going into music

Hasn't Gene Munster just confirmed this?

We need a picture of a blurred kickstand and start button made in China to believe!
 

hrishidev

macrumors regular
Dec 3, 2007
107
4
In future , I am afraid we may have to acquire license to name kids as all existing names will be trademarked.:eek:
 
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