Apple Inc. wants to guard its name for the iPhone’s signature interface through a trademark, but has ventured outside American borders as part of the process.On the same day as its first touchscreen devices were rolling into stores, June 29th, Apple was quietly applying for a trademark in a Far East intellectual property office for the term “multi-touch” — a cornerstone of the company’s iPhone marketing efforts in the US.
If successful, Apple would have the right to restrict use of the phrase by other companies for more than just cellphones, according to the filing. Most handhelds, including media players and PDAs, would be covered by the trademark.
Companies producing electronics outside of Apple’s typical boundaries would also find themselves barred from referring to “multi-touch” under the conditions set out by the document: video game consoles and televisions are equally addressed, the company says.
The concept behind the interface has proven increasingly important to Apple since its introduction, with analysts already calling it a “mega-platform” that could be used for a slew of new products beyond handhelds. Multiple patents have already been filed that would extend the area- and gesture-sensitive technique to computer mice, in addition to those patents announced by chief executive Steve Jobs during his Macworld San Francisco keynote in January.
Whether or not the iPhone maker’s belief in the control mechanism will be supported by the law is unknown, as the application is currently under review.
via: AppleInsider
While the Multi-Touch’s were there since long back, This move by Apple is a sickest Business Methodology. Here is the TradeMark:
Word Mark MULTI-TOUCH
Goods and Services IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Handheld mobile digital electronic devices with electronic mail, digital data transmission, audio player, video player, handheld computer, personal digital assistant, electronic organizer, electronic notepad, telephone, computer gaming, and camera functions, and computer software for use with such devices
Standard Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Design Search Code
Serial Number 77219819
Filing Date June 30, 2007
Current Filing Basis 1B;44D
Original Filing Basis 1B;44D
Owner (APPLICANT) Apple Inc. CORPORATION CALIFORNIA 1 Infinite Loop Cupertino CALIFORNIA 95014
Attorney of Record Thomas R. La Perle
Priority Date January 2, 2007
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE
Its really Sad that Apple has been allowed to use the TradeMark for a term of the technology that isnt entirely its own.
To file an objection to the trademarking of this word please follow this format: http://www.uspto.gov/web/forms/oppositionformat.pdf
Note: Also, there is a fee charged for filing an opposition. It is around $300USD. If you consult a lawyer: you will be looking at attorney’s fee + the opposition fee.
