Here we go again. It’s almost becoming a standard that every time Apple announces something new; be that hardware, software or unicorn dust, someone else have to quickly claim that they actually already have a product or a trademark with exactly the same name.
You guys have certainly heard about the newest thing from Apple, the iPad right now at least. Well it would seem that Fujitsu already have a product called iPad, it’s a (smart)phone from 2002 running Windows CE.
History behind the trademark:
Fujitsu’s original application for the trademark “iPad” was stalled because the company Mag-Tech had already filled the trademark for a handheld number-encrypting device. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s gave Fujitsu’s application a status of abandoned, be Fujitsu reapplied back in June 2009. A month later Apple applied for the international trademark through a proxy and has until February 28th to decide whether they will oppose Fujitsu’s original trademark application.
This is not the first time Apple has chosen a name that’s already used by somebody else. This also happened with the:
- iPhone back in 2007: Linksys/Cisco already had a handheld phone called the iPhone but Apple payed up for the name. Read more at: [Engadget]
- iTunes in 2003: Beatles’ Apple Corp. claimed that Apple Inc. was breaching a 1991 agreement that Apple wouldn’t enter the music business. Money took care of that problem too. Read more at: [Wikipedia]
- iPod menu in 2006: Creative claimed that Apple Inc. was infringing their so called “Zen Patent”. Read more at: [iLounge]
So Apple and Fujitsu might just settle on a secret deal between the two companies which gives the Fujitsu executives a couple of Mercedes or even an Bugatti Veyron – each. Apple might actually fight this one in court. No one knows but Apple have until February 28th to decide what their next move is going to be.
Maybe Apple would actually change the name of the device to something better, like Slate or iSlate(iS late) – who knows.
I had planned on not making any posts regarding the iPad until I had actually had a hands-on with the device, but I just thought this was something interesting to share with you guys.
In other iPad news:
Adobe keeps whining about the iPad and iPhone not having Flash. Get over it and realize that your godawful plugin is finally dying. More over at: [Gizmodo]
The iPad SDK simulator is showing some hints that the iPad was supposed to have a camera. More over at: [CrunchGear]
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