Trademark

‘Galaxy Gear’ trademark filing reveals Samsung’s iWatch

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 6, 2013

We know from before that Samsung has been looking to beat Tim Cook & Co. to market by releasing its own smarwatch ahead of Apple's rumored iWatch device. And as Apple continues to apply for numerous iWatch trademark filings around the world, there has been little solid evidence in the form of patent or trademark filings to indicate the Galaxy maker's seriousness about wearables.

A newly discovered Samsung trademark filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) changes all that. Dated July 29, the filing seeks to protect Galaxy Gear, a name for “wearable digital electronic devices in the form of a wristwatch, wrist band or bangle capable of providing access to the Internet and for sending and receiving phone calls, electronic mails and messages"...

Apple could face hurdles applying for iWatch trademark in US and UK

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 13, 2016

Apple's iWatch trademark filing world tour could hit major roadblocks in the United Kingdom and over in Apple's home turf of the United States, it has been discovered.

According to two separate reports, a small California firm has taken steps to trademark 'iWatch' in the United States.

And over in the United Kingdom, a network services firm owns a Community trademark on 'iWatch', basically a trademark that applies across the European Community, which includes Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, France,, Netherlands, West Germany, Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom, Greece, Portugal and Spain.

As a result, Apple is likely going to have to either pay these companies to buy the trademark or face a legal battle should it in fact decide to launch a rumored wristwatch product...

Apple trademarks new green FaceTime logo

Cody Lee ∙ June 30, 2013

Here we are, nearly 3 weeks after Apple took the wraps off of iOS 7, and folks are still talking about the drastic redesign. The overall consensus seems to be that most people like it, but many are hoping that Apple will do some serious fine-tuning before its public release this fall.

In fact, rumor has it that the software isn't nearly as far along as previous versions have been in their initial betas. So even the folks that are unhappy with iOS 7's current state are optimistic that it will see big changes. But if this new trademark filing is any indication, it won't...

Apple allegedly files for iWatch trademark in Russia

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Apple reportedly has filed in Russia to trademark 'iWatch', the supposed name of the rumored wearable computing device. However, some in the tech media are skeptical, suggesting the report in a Russian newspaper follows none of Apple's usual steps preceding a product launch, such as in the case of the iPad.

The newspaper Izvestia this week reported Apple filed for the trademark under the 9th and 14th classes of the International Classification of Goods and Services. The report asserts Apple could face competition from similar local products. However, one Apple blogs has failed to find the trademark registered with the official Russian Federal Services for Intellectual Property...

Apple wins iBooks trademark case

Ed Sutherland ∙ May 9, 2013

A New York judge has thrown out a trademark lawsuit against Apple's iBooks service. A sci-fi and fantasy publisher had claimed Apple's use of the 'iBooks' mark would confuse consumers. In her ruling, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote wrote that Black Tower Press "offered no evidence" that consumers would misinterpret Apple's e-book service as a book publisher. In addition Cote said the publisher's image of a lightbulb emblazoned with the word 'iBooks' was distinctive enough to merit continuing the 2011 case...

USPTO withdraws its objections to Apple’s ‘iPad mini’ trademark

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 8, 2013

We told you how the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently turned down Apple's trademark application for the iPad mini because its review team deemed the moniker as ”merely describing” the product. They also mentioned that other identities have applied for the 'iPad' trademark, meaning there’s a “likelihood of confusion between the marks.”

As it turns out, the USPTO has now withdrawn these two main objections, in turn allowing Apple to keep the 'iPad mini' trademark, provided it amends the filing with some interesting fine print. Jump past the fold for full details...

Apple’s EarPods trademark challenged by HearPod maker Randolph Divisions

Ed Sutherland ∙ April 2, 2013

When you have a few hundred million in walking around money and are worth more than any company on the planet, you become a magnet for lawsuits. That's the lesson Apple is learning as the iPhone maker fields increasing numbers of trademark infringement legal cases.

The latest: a hearing aid maker claims Apple's EarPods sounds just too much like its HearPod. Randolph Divisions filed the lawsuit against Apple in Hawaii District Court. According to the company, it registered the 'HearPod' trademark in 2007, years before the smartphone maker unveiled in 2012 its EarPods for the iPhone 5. Win or lose, at least Apple's legal team gets a trip to Honolulu to argue the case...

US Patent Office turns down Apple’s iPad mini trademark application

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Apple's been having some pretty bad luck on the patent and trademark front lately. It recently lost a trademark battle in Mexico for its world-renown 'iPhone' moniker, and it's fighting a similar battle in Brazil.

And that bad luck continues this week with reports claiming that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has turned down the Cupertino company's trademark application for its just-launched iPad mini...

Apple loses iPhone trademark appeal in Mexico

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 15, 2013

Apple's luck protecting the iPhone name has taken a turn for the worse with Friday development that the firm has lost an appeal over its use of the iPhone moniker in Mexico, reports The Wall Street Journal. The ruling marks Apple's second setback in Latin America after a Brazilian patent office a month ago approved the iPhone trademark to a local electronics maker IGB Eletronica SA.

That Brazilian firm, better known by its brand name Gradiente, owned rights to the iPhone name since 2000, long before Apple introduced its handset. In the case of Mexico-based Ifone SA, it had registered the 'Ifone' trademark back in 2003 and was making proper use of it, the nation's Supreme Court ruled Friday...

Apple may pay to use iPhone name in Brazil

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 11, 2018

Apple may be able to use the iPhone trademark to sell its smartphone in Brazil. Lawyers have requested 30 days to reach an agreement outside of court, according to a weekend report. Brazil's largest daily newspaper reported the two parties have dropped the lawsuit seeking ownership of the 'iPhone' trademark and plan a "pacific" agreement - likely to include a cash payment from the iPhone maker...

Apple appeals Brazil’s iPhone trademark ruling

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 13, 2013

In a repeat of the ProView situation, Apple today lost exclusive rights to the 'iPhone' trademark in Brazil to a local company called IGB Electronics S.A. that sells an Android cheapo with 'iPhone' in its name. While this means both IGB and Apple are allowed to market 'iPhones' in the 200 million people country, Apple - keen on avoiding user confusion and public humiliation - has now appealed the decision by the Brazilian Institute for Industrial Property (INPI)...

Apple loses iPhone trademark in Brazil to an Android maker

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 13, 2013

Earlier this month came a rumor that Apple was in jeopardy of losing its ‘iPhone’ trademark in Brazil to the local electronics maker IGB Eletrônica SA, which applied for exclusive rights to the name back in 2000, winning the rights to the moniker. In 2007, Apple asked the Brazilian Institute for Industrial Property (INPI) to make iPhone its exclusive trademark, but a report lats week suggested the request won't pass muster. Today, Brazilian regulators have ruled that Apple does not have exclusive rights to use the "iPhone" trademark in the country...