Apple Acquired 'Lightning' Trademark from Harley-Davidson

[MacRumors]

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

[kd5jos]

Didn't Apple also purchase the rights to use "iOS" from Cisco?

[gregwyattjr]

What a weird trademark for a motorcycle company to own.

[bigcat318]

One of those trademarks that probably shouldnt have been allowed to begin with. Owning the rights to the names of natural occurences seems ridiculous.

[bad03xtreme]

I would think that Ford would own the rights to that name since they had the "Lightning" F150's.

[chriscrk]

Originally Posted by bad03xtreme

I would think that Ford would own the rights to that name since they had the "Lightning" F150's.

Image

Well done for completely raping the comments section.

Edit: Never mind, you fixed it now

[deppisch]

Has Zeus weighed in on this matter yet?

[D.T.]

I heard they acquired both Lightening™ and AsslessChaps™






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

[Bezetos]

Originally Posted by gregwyattjr

What a weird trademark for a motorcycle company to own.

What's weird about it?

Lightning - fast as a lightning - fast motorcycle... Aren't these associations obvious?

[iMacFarlane]

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).

[bad03xtreme]

Originally Posted by chriscrk

Well done for completely raping the comments section.

Edit: Never mind, you fixed it now

Yea I realized this forum hasn't caught up with the times by resizing large pics so I swapped it.

[ConCat]

You know something's wrong when Apple has to get the rights for a port name from a motorbike company. Odd.

[FPCat]

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

[840quadra]

Originally Posted by gregwyattjr

What a weird trademark for a motorcycle company to own.

Agreed,

And I would have thought that Ford Motor company owned that name, they had the F150 Lightning in the past decade, and again more recently.

[D.T.]

Originally Posted by bad03xtreme

I would think that Ford would own the rights to that name since they had the "Lightning" F150's.

Image

Great vehicle. A pulley/tune/exhaust away from +100HP, and surprisingly agile for a _truck_.

[Laird Knox]

Originally Posted by bad03xtreme

I would think that Ford would own the rights to that name since they had the "Lightning" F150's.

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.

[Mazeman]

Apple AND Harley?

Wow, this will make haters' heads explode.

[everything-i]

Just like iOS that's licensed as well.

[troop231]

Originally Posted by bad03xtreme

I would think that Ford would own the rights to that name since they had the "Lightning" F150's.

Image

Man, I love those Lightning trucks

[Thunderhawks]

Originally Posted by FPCat

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!

[Rot'nApple]

Did Apple get the rights to the Lightbing's motorcycle sound? Vvrooomm!

[hrishidev]

In future , I am afraid we may have to acquire license to name kids as all existing names will be trademarked.

[OllyW]

Originally Posted by gregwyattjr

What a weird trademark for a motorcycle company to own.

Not the first motorcycle company to use the name...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSA_Lightning

Coincidentally, BSA also used the "Thunderbolt" name...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSA_Thunderbolt

[bad03xtreme]

Originally Posted by Laird Knox

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.

Just like if Apple started making Motorcycles all of a sudden, are folks going to confuse a Harley with an iPad??

[Laird Knox]

Originally Posted by bad03xtreme

Just like if Apple started making Motorcycles all of a sudden, are folks going to confuse a Harley with an iPad??

Reading is güd.

The transfer appears to have been required because of Harley-Davidson's ownership of the trademark under Class 28, which includes toys and games.