The U.S. Patent Trademark Office denied Apple’s application
to trademark the iPad mini tablet on January 24th. Apparently, the
iPad mini mark “merely describes a feature or characteristic of applicants good.”
The iPad mini “do not create a unique, incongruous or non-descriptive meaning
in relation to the goods being small handheld mobile devices comprising tablet
computers capable of providing Internet access.” It seems interesting that
Apple was able to own a trademark for the iPod nano for example that is named around
characteristics that “merely describe” the feature of the device compared to
iPod. It seems odd that the USPTO would reject iPad mini trademark and not iPod
nano. However, Apple does have until July 24 to prove that iPad mini is unique
from iPad to the USPTO rejection letter that seen as a formality.For more information, please visit:
http://topnews.us/content/254287-apple-s-application-ipad-mini-trademark-rejected-us-patent-office
http://phys.org/news/2013-03-patent-office-denies-ipad-mini.html
It is really fascinating that the USPTO denied Apple the right to trademark the iPad mini, but the iPod nano was allowed to receive a trademark. It could be a matter of the current lawsuits that Apple is facing within the ITC.
ReplyDeleteIt seems as though this distinction is merely semantics. That being said, it is interesting to consider what can be trademarked and what can't be. In this case, can an additional adjective qualify as a unique product title?
ReplyDelete