Apple has recently been on a bit of a mission to patent iWatch across the globe, but faces a struggle when it comes to the UK and US.
Having already filed applications for the name in Japan, Taiwan and Mexico, Apple won’t be able to trademark in the UK and US as other companies already own it.
In the US, a small Californian company called OMG Electronics has already trademarked the iWatch name for its own project. It hasn’t yet launched a product under the iWatch name, but is currently in the process of raising funds using Indiegogo for the device.
OMG Electronics has only managed to raise $1,434 (£953.20) via crowd sourcing so far.
The Intellectual Property Office shows that in the UK, the iWatch patent is owned by Probendi Inc. The company holds what is called a Community trademark on the name iWatch, which applies across all European countries including the UK.
A network services firm, Probendi won’t be making a smartwatch of its own, but is using the iWatch name for an app it is creating. iWatch will be an app “that sends real-time audio, video and location data to the Critical Governance platform”.
Probendi has held the iWatch trademark in Europe since 2008, so Apple could face a legal battle if it wants to launch a product with that name.
Although Apple hasn’t officially confirmed it is working on any wearable tech devices, latest rumours suggest an iWatch release date could be upon us this winter.
The iWatch is tipped to pack a 1.5-inch square touchscreen display, similar to an iPod Nano. However, a recent patent filing suggested the iWatch could look more like the Nike Fuelband where “a curve is formed at one end of the battery cell” or could link together “at two ends”.
A number of rival manufacturers including Samsung and LG have already confirmed they will be launching smartwatches or wearable tech devices as well.
Next, tell us what iWatch features you’d like to see.
Via: Cult of Mac
