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Irish firm Probendi is seeking to capitalize on Apple's announcement of the Apple Watch earlier this year by using its existing "iWatch" trademark in Europe to launch its own smartwatch device. Probendi director Daniele Di Salvo confirmed in a recent RTE Radio interview that the company will "absolutely push ahead" with its plans to build a smartwatch device that will compete with the Apple Watch, reports news site Herald.ie.

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Probendi owns an iWatch trademark in Europe and has been using the iWatch name for health and safety communication software. Di Salvo acknowledges the company's existing iWatch software product, but notes that "the name is easily associated with a smartwatch" when discussing the company's future plans.

It is unclear, however, how Di Salvo will be able to extend use of the iWatch name to a smartwatch, as the category protection for the company's trademark is somewhat limited within the computer software classification. Numerous other companies, including Apple, have filed for protection on the "iWatch" name in a variety of classifications and countries, something that may have contributed to Apple's decision to use the "Apple Watch" name for its product.

Speaking to RTE Radio, Di Salvo refused to comment on any potential discussions with Apple about the trademarked name, but did confirm that the company is in talks with Chinese manufacturers about producing a smartwatch device.
"We have been contacted by some very important manufacturers in China about the possibility of manufacturing a smartwatch and selling them with the name iWatch. Discussions are still ongoing. We are good at software but hardware is definitely not our business but we are evaluating this request," Mr Di Salvo said.
Di Salvo's iWatch will feature a square design, a touchscreen, GPS functionality, and an accelerometer. It reportedly will run the Android operating system, with support for fitness, health tracking and other apps. According to Bloomberg, Di Salvo is looking for manufacturers to assemble the device at a cost that is lower than the Apple Watch's $349 entry-level price.

Article Link: European 'iWatch' Trademark Holder Plans New Android Smartwatch
 
Everyone knows that he's just doing it for a big pile of Cash from Apple.

Probendi: the bendable watch for pros.
:rolleyes:
 
Wow! You know this is gonna be a high quality product with a lot of care put into it, not just slapped together. I can't wait to see this revolutionary product! It's going to automatically be better than the Watch and be cheaper too! /sarcasm
 
Will it be powered by intel? Unlikely, but would at least be appropriate.
 
European 'iWatch' Trademark Holder Plans New Android Smartwatch

If they actually name it iWatch, people are just going to type "iWatch" into google and it'll direct them to Apple's website.

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Here we go again. They will do their $5 iWatch thingy and will be getting sued by the big dog. Might as well send me the money since you will lose it anyway.
 
Numerous other companies, including Apple, have filed for protection on the "iWatch" name in a variety of classifications and countries, something that may have contributed to Apple's decision to use the "Apple Watch" name for its product.
Maybe because the Apple Watch isn't an Internet capable device, it needs another device (iPhone) to work.
 
Iwatch Gimmick

Calling it an Iwatch...really?! Trying to reference this retarded ass watch to the same name apple is already using. There still isn't a camera on the watches either. And last, they all continue to make the same dam thing with only a different operating system to run off of.

Come out with something different, thats eye catching! Not the same **** someone else is already coming out with. ****ing joke Mr. Iwatch copier.

What he needs to do is spend his money on a nice drawing board and recreate this dumb thought of creating a duplicate Iwatch with the same functionality and features. :p

Lastly, I could of sworn I just saw the 360 watch and some other dumb watches running Android on them. This is nothing different and they all look the same.

Advice from someone who's not rich, but if I was. Save your money! When the apple watch comes out, I'm sure its going to make your watch look like a waist of money to have even built it. :p
 
I've just trademarked "iReland" so the country can't call itself that anymore.
 
I've just trademarked "iReland" so the country can't call itself that anymore.

Nice.

All joking aside, I feel that the trademark issues is one of the reasons Apple is moving to the ":apple:Product" nomenclature. They own "Apple" globally, so they don't have to go through these kinds of battles with every single new product they release.
 
I love his comments...

Well, the name makes sense for a watch, but we don't know what we're doing...but we have a name so lets make it!
 
Honestly, if you got protection for any i-[electronic device] name after the iPod was famous you should have that protection taken away.

Not because Apple owned "iWatch" or "iPhone" before you, but because you were clearly ripping off "iPod" when you got the name.
 
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