Fujitsu Possibly Gearing Up For Fight Over 'iPad' Trademark in U.S.

[MacRumors]

Last week, we uncovered evidence of Apple seeking to trademark the "iPad" name in a number of countries, foreshadowing the name of Apple's tablet device announced yesterday. At the time, we noted that Apple had not applied for an "iPad" trademark in the U.S., ostensibly due to Fujitsu already holding a claim to the name there. Further investigation soon revealed, however, that Apple has filed multiple requests to extend the allowable time period for it to oppose Fujitsu's still-pending trademark application. In addition, an Apple shell company finally did apply for the "iPad" trademark in the U.S.

The New York Times reports, however, that Fujitsu does not appear to be going down without a fight, seeking to protect the name of its iPad device for retail inventory management.

"It's our understanding that the name is ours," Masahiro Yamane, director of Fujitsu's public relations division, said Thursday. He said Fujitsu was aware of Apple's plans to sell the iPad tablet and that the company was consulting lawyers over next steps.

The report notes that Fujitsu's iPad bears a number of similarities to Apple's iPad, including a color touchscreen, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as support for VoIP calling. Apple currently has until February 28th to file its opposition to Fujitsu's "iPad" trademark application, although it could request a further extension with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Apple's choice of the "iPhone" name similarly stepped on others' toes with its announcement in January 2007, and Cisco quickly sued Apple upon Apple's iPhone introduction after negotiations regarding the iPhone trademark owned by Cisco and used for its line of Web-enabled telephones had not resulted in an agreement to that point. The dispute was quickly resolved, with both companies allowed to use the iPhone name.

Article Link: Fujitsu Possibly Gearing Up For Fight Over 'iPad' Trademark in U.S.

 

[rdowns]

Quite similar devices.

You know Apple will prevail here. May cost them a few bucks.

 

[John.B]

They can't seriously be fighting over that name! Can they?

 

[tropic10]

Let them have it!!!!!

 

[Green10]

They should have called it the iTab.

 

[sishaw]

iPad is an awful name that even the mainstream press has noted people making fun of.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dy...01/27/AR2010012704268.html?hpid=moreheadlines

Let's not even talk about the number of times the same juvenile joke has appeared in Macrumors.

Maybe this will be the cover Apple needs to change the name before the product ships.

 

[tropic10]

Apple Tablet

 

[kolax]

iPad is far too close to iPod. Different accents around the world will make them sound exactly the same. In fact, during the Keynote, Steve said iPod instead of iPad (or at least it sounded very close to iPod).

iSlate would have been far better.. I was half expecting iSlate to be the "one more thing".

iPad is an awful name that even the mainstream press has noted people making fun of. Let's not even talk about the number of times the same juvenile joke has appeared in Macrumors.

My favourite is, "rev B is rumoured to include wings".

 

[Peace]

"It's our understanding that the name is ours," Masahiro Yamane, director of Fujitsu's public relations division, said Thursday. He said Fujitsu was aware of Apple's plans to sell the iPad tablet and that the company was consulting lawyers over next steps."

Is it also their understanding that they abandoned the trademark only to resurrect it in June in anticipation of Apple possibly using it ?

 

[madrag]

I wish I owned that trademark, I would be a rich man by now

 

[cmaier]

I thought "iPod" was horrible when I first heard it.

Anyway, Fujitsu's gonna get spanked.

 

[benpatient]

i can't believe either one of these companies want that name!

might as well use "myPad" or "iMaxi"

 

[ejrizo]

This is all publicity guys... everyone talks about the iPad name because its funny... it gets all over the media because its name...but hey people are talking about it.....lawsuit is like free advertisement for the product.... since it will be all over the media and people would continue talking about it and finding out what all the hoopla is all about

 

[ziggyonice]

Maybe Apple could intentionally lose this one to get rid of the name...

 

[stuffradio]

"It's our understanding that the name is ours," Masahiro Yamane, director of Fujitsu's public relations division, said Thursday. He said Fujitsu was aware of Apple's plans to sell the iPad tablet and that the company was consulting lawyers over next steps."

Is it also their understanding that they abandoned the trademark only to resurrect it in June in anticipation of Apple possibly using it ?

Not unless they have inside people in Apple knowing that Apple was going to call it that. People can do whatever they want if they own their own trademark. If it was a company stealing a name from Apple, you would be screaming at the other company unlike you are doing now. (Screaming is an overstatement)

 

[leomac08]

Let this monopoly stop!

 

[David R]

iBook

 

[butterfly0fdoom]

I think this is a great opportunity to rename the device as the iNewton.

 

[Back2Bedlam]



 

[Peace]

Not unless they have inside people in Apple knowing that Apple was going to call it that. People can do whatever they want if they own their own trademark. If it was a company stealing a name from Apple, you would be screaming at the other company unlike you are doing now. (Screaming is an overstatement)

I hate to repeat myself so I'll just ask you.

Can you tell me why Fujizu abandoned the trademark ?

 

[trose]

In regards to all the people bashing on the iPad name-

"Wii" <-- One of the best selling game consoles of all time.

Names grow on people, and sometimes their quirkiness actually works in their favor.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Lame name.

Bigassipod would even be better.

 

[gibbz]

iPad is an awful name that even the mainstream press has noted people making fun of.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dy...01/27/AR2010012704268.html?hpid=moreheadlines

Let's not even talk about the number of times the same juvenile joke has appeared in Macrumors.

Maybe this will be the cover Apple needs to change the name before the product ships.

Gruber linked to a pretty funny take on the name

It seems everyone making iPad jokes has forgotten that the best selling game console in the world is straight-up called the Wii.

 

[adville]

Apple currently has until February 28th to file its opposition to Fujitsu's "iPad" trademark application, although it could request a further extension with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Article Link: Fujitsu Possibly Gearing Up For Fight Over 'iPad' Trademark in U.S.

This is actually incorrect. If Apple wishes to file a notice of opposition to Fujitsu's mark, the February 28th deadline is non-extensible. At the USPTO, once a mark is published for opposition, a potential opposer has 30 days. At the first stage, they can file a request for a 30-day extension for any reason. Then they can file a request for another 60-day extension for "good cause" (which can mean a number of things, but which isn't an easy hurdle to clear). These first two extensions can, alternatively, be replaced with one 90-day extension for good cause. But in any event, after extending the initial 30-day opposition period by 90 days, only one more extension is available, for 60 days, and then only with the applicant's consent. This is the period Apple is within now, meaning the February 28th deadline is non-extensible.

Of course, they can also file their Notice of Opposition and then agree with Fujitsu to suspend the proceedings to discuss settlement. Alternatively, if either side files suit in federal court over the issue, the opposition proceeding would likely be suspended as well.

 

[stridemat]

Apple will just dump a lot of cash on Fujitsu's table and this will all go away....