trademark
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Swatch's provocative 'Tick different' slogan has Apple riled
We don't know when exactly Apple and Swatch first had a falling out, but trademark disputes seem to be the stage both have chosen to publicly acknowledge their strained relationship. In the latest example of this, Apple is challenging Swatch's "Tick different" trademark, which features in marketing campaigns for its Bellamy range of simple, analog watches that include NFC for contactless payments. Apple is arguing the phrase is too similar to its now-retired "Think different" slogan, thus causing confusion among consumers.
Doppler Labs sues Bose over 'Hearphones' name and tech
When the Bose Hearphones first came out, we noted that they looked like Bose's QuietControl 30 with the technology of Doppler Labs' Here One earbuds. Apparently Doppler Labs also noticed the similarity in technology, look and name (it calls its product "Here Buds") and is taking its rival to court. As Business Insider noticed, it alleges that Bose took several meetings under the guise of forming a partnership, but instead used the secret information it learned to develop a similar product with a similar name.
Adidas thinks Tesla's old Model 3 logo is a little too familiar
Would you confuse the Tesla Model 3's three-bar logo with Adidas' signature stripes? No? Don't tell that to Adidas. The apparel giant has filed a challenge to prevent Tesla from registering the Model 3's logo as a trademark. It's similar enough to Adidas' stripes that it's "likely to cause confusion" and suggest the two brands are connected, according to the filing. While it seems like a tenuous claim at first blush (most people can tell the difference between athletic wear and cars), Adidas says it's pursuing the case because Tesla was looking to put the logo on clothing and other products. The gap between the two brands was about to blur, in other words. However, the dispute may not amount to much given Tesla's recent actions.
Nokia appears to be working on its own AI assistant
It seems that just about everyone wants to get into the AI assistant game. Nokia (the networking giant, not HMD Global's brand) has applied for a trademark on "Viki," a chat- and voice-based helper for smartphones and the web. Details are scarce -- this is a trademark, not a patent -- but there's little doubt as to what it's for. The question is, what will Nokia do with it?
Pixel leaks keep flowing on the eve of Google's big event
Everybody keeps spilling the beans on Google's upcoming Pixel phones. After a UK retailer and a Canadian carrier posted about them early, it's now Verizon's turn. Gizmodo has spotted listings of the upcoming devices on the carrier's Enterprise website, where you can find both the Pixel and the XL under its smartphone section. They also come with a short description of the devices' features, including a mysterious one called "Google Magic." We'll probably find out what that is at Google's big event. Serial leaker Evan Blass (aka evleaks) has also tweeted out an image of the devices for Verizon, and it looks like they will be available in silver/white and blue.
Apple can never release an 'iWatch' in the UK
Long before Apple actually launched its first wearable, a trademarking spree sent the rumour mill into overdrive. Understandably so, because what else could an "iWatch" be? The Swiss clocksmiths at Swatch weren't best pleased with this application, however, challenging the filing with the UK's Intellectual Property Office (IPO) in 2014. The IPO recently brought an end to the dispute, siding with Swatch in its opposition of the trademark. It doesn't really matter now, of course, with the Apple Watch already in its second generation. But, if the company ever wanted to launch an iWatch? Well, it can't.
'No Man's Sky' developer ends 'legal nonsense' battle over name
There's no sign that it contributed to the delay, but Hello Games founder Sean Murray said today that after "3 years of secret stupid legal nonsense," his company's game can be called No Man's Sky. They had to settle with trademark owner Sky TV to use the name that it's very protective of -- remember when Microsoft had to rename SkyDrive as OneDrive for the same reason? According to Murray's tweets, he's learned a lot about trademark law, and might have a good idea about why Skynet never happened. Seriously though, the highly anticipated game should be on track for its rescheduled release date of August 9th, and we can't wait to see it procedurally generated universe unfold.
Sony is trying to trademark 'Let's Play' videos
You've heard of a "Let's Play" video, right? That's a common term for YouTube videos featuring video game commentary and gameplay. People have built careers out of this kind of content (folks like Pewdiepie, Game Grumps, Markiplier and others) and it's a fairly ubiquitous term -- which makes it all the more weird that Sony is apparently trying to trademark it. Really.
Apple Music could be getting more Beats Music stations soon
Beats 1's radio broadcasts were a key selling point when Apple Music was first announced. Now, it appears Apple is expanding with new radio options. In a series of filings, the company applied for trademarks covering both the names and logos of Beats 2, Beats 3, Beats 4 and Beats 5, which means we could be seeing up to four new stations in the near future. The applications, which were filed last month, follow reports that Apple's agreements with record labels allow it to add five new radio stations without having to negotiate new contracts.
Twitter trademark filing lays claim to the word 'subtweet'
It appears the practice of subtweeting has become so popular that Twitter wants to trademark the term. In a recent application, the 140-character social network filed for a trademark on the word "subtweet" (both as one word and two separate words) following Jack Dorsey's return to the CEO chair. The application was posted for opposition on November 19th, giving any other companies or individuals time to dispute Twitter's claim. If granted, the trademark will give the company the ability to approve (or deny) any commercial use of the word. Of course, Twitter will have to make use of it commercially to keep its grip, which is interesting because no one affiliated with social stream seems to have coined the term.[Image credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Blizzard's 'Compete' trademark hints at an eSports service
There's no question that Blizzard is a cornerstone of the eSports world. StarCraft is so big in South Korea that it's virtually an institution, and Heroes of the Storm was the first game to get a live ESPN2 broadcast. It only makes sense that the developer would create an eSports service of its own, then -- and there's a fresh hint that it might do just that. Blizzard has filed for a trademark on "Compete," an online service that would help you "organize and promote" eSports tournaments and ladders. From the sounds of it, this would take the drudgery out of getting a competition off the ground. You'd focus more on the matches themselves, and less on finding out who's on top.
Google reveals Alphabet, but BMW already owns that trademark
Google co-founder Larry Page unveiled a surprise restructuring yesterday with the announcement of Alphabet, a new company that owns Google and all of its semi-related products. Google's stock soared 5 percent directly after the announcement, the world was busy dissecting the meaning of alpha and bet, and things looked rosy for the new company. However, there could be one problem: BMW owns the trademark and .com domain for "Alphabet." And it doesn't want to sell, a spokesperson tells the New York Times.
Leaks point to a new TiVo 'Bolt' DVR on the way
So what's next for TiVo? After the company successfully kicked off the DVR era with its boxes, the world is now changing into one where cable TV isn't quite as important. Purchasing the remnant of Aereo is one way to get cord-cutters attention, but fusing what's left of traditional TV with the internet is going to be an interesting problem to solve over the next few years. Dave Zatz has tracked down a mess of filings and even mentions on TiVo's own website pointing to a new "Bolt." Based on the recent CableLabs certification of two new boxes July 1st and a trademark application, the Bolt definitely seems like a new DVR, possibly a replacement for the current Roamio.
Amazon will stand trial for its 'confusing' search results
Have you ever searched for a product on Amazon, only to find a similar item from another company? Sure you have. But while this search behavior is arguably great for customers, it's the reasoning behind a trademark lawsuit against the online retailer. "Military" watchmaker MTM has been pursuing Amazon since 2011 and, despite losing in a California federal court, it's just won a 2-1 vote in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to have the case go to trial.
Blizzard's Overwatch bumps into trademark issues
Remember when no one knew what Overwatch was and we were all speculating it was some sort of expansion based on the fact that the trademark had been filed? Oh, it was a more innocent time. Unfortunately for that trademark, it might be having a little bit of a problem after all, as it has come to light that another company filed an earlier claim for the trademark that would supersede Blizzard's use of the name due to likelihood of confusion. The trademark that has already been filed is for an app that can be used to provide enhanced functionality for paintball matches, laser tag matches, and the like. Both trademark applications are currently suspended pending investigations, so it remains to be seen whether Blizzard will be pushing forward or will change the name of the game to something legally different. Like Oversupervise, for instance.
Apple loses App Store trademark appeal in Australia
Apple was handed a setback in Australia on Wednesday when a Federal Court judge rejected Apple's appeal as the company tries to trademark the term "app store" in the country. The news of the rejection was first reported by The Sydney Morning Herald. Apple originally applied for the "app store" trademark earlier this year, but its application was rejected by the Registrar of Trade Marks, which claimed it was too descriptive. Federal Justice Yates agreed with the earlier decision, dismissing the appeal and ordering Apple to pay the court costs for the Registrar of Trade Marks. "Apple has not established that, because of the extent to which it has used the [trade]mark before the filing date, it does distinguish the designated services as being Apple's services," Justice Yates said. "It follows that APP STORE must be taken as not being capable of distinguishing the designated services as Apple's services. The application must, therefore, be rejected." Apple can still use the term "app store" in Australia, but it cannot prevent other competing services from using the same term. This battle in Australia is part of a larger push by Apple to control the term "app store" globally. The Cupertino company has faced similar challenges both in the US and the EU.
Groupon says it's ended its trademark spat with open-source community (update)
Well, this could get messy. The GNOME project is a well-known free and open-source desktop environment for Linux distros. Gnome is also the name of Groupon's new proprietary point-of-sale operating system. The two couldn't be more opposed in ethos, and given the fact that the former has held a registered trademark on its software for the best part of a decade, the GNOME Foundation is understandably upset.
Apple faces iPhone trademark challenge in India
According to Patently Apple, the Cupertino company may be facing another trademark battle over the iPhone name. This time the skirmish is taking place in India, where a technology firm is challenging the Cupertino company's legal rights over the iPhone name. iVoice Enterprises, based in Tamil Nadu, has asked India's Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) to re-evaluate the iPhone trademark that belongs to Apple. Rather than dismissing the rectification petition, the IPAB is asking Apple to respond to the challenge and has given the company until November to respond. Several years ago, Xerox faced similar situation when photocopy shop owner B.V.I. Himachalpathy filed a rectification petition that claimed the Xerox name was a generic term and no longer subject to trademark. The IPAB sided with Xerox in that case, but a similar favorable outcome is not guaranteed with Apple.
Monster head-turner GNAH changes name to GNOG
Someone pass the Eggnog – or just the GNOG, if you're feeling saucy. Montreal gaming collective KO-OP Mode has changed the name of its new puzzle game from GNAH to GNOG because of a trademark dispute over the original title. KO-OP Mode tweeted the name change and co-founder Saleem Dabbous broke it all down in an email to Joystiq: "We changed the name since there was a trademark dispute with a company that owned the mark 'GNAH,' so we decided to go with GNOG, which is short for gnoggin (the "G" is silent). It's always difficult to change the name of something you love, but GNOG has really grown on us after a few months of secretly using it, and it's hard to look back." GNOG is a blend of Rubik's Cube puzzles and Polly Pocket, where players explore the miniature worlds within the heads of themed creatures, clicking and pulling on the inside of a head to impact the face and vice versa. During the Horizon conference at E3 2014, KO-OP Mode showed off a new version of the game, playing through a series of giant floating monster heads.The monsters included one shaped like a boat with lifesavers as eyes, and a rotating ship's wheel and cabin on the inside of the nautical monster's head. See a short, off-screen video of that monster below.
Twitter trademark turmoil forces Twitpic to shut down
It's the end of an era, folks: Twitpic, one of the first sites that let users upload and share photos to Twitter, will go dark on September 25. Unlike other shuttered startups though, Twitpic hasn't run out of cash or been pushed out of the spotlight by fierce competitors. No, its demise is all thanks to some trademark turmoil initiated by the folks at Twitter who reached out to the Twitpic team a few weeks back. The social giant wanted the company (which at one point was valued at over $10 million) to give up its nearly 5 year old trademark application or face the prospect of being shut out of the Twitter ecosystem entirely. Rather than devote gobs of time and resources to proving his point, founder Noah Everett (sadly) decided to call it quits on the operation. Don't feel too bad for him, though: he's got another startup in the works called Pingly that basically aims to build a "better Gmail". We don't want to harp on a guy who's already down on his luck but... join the club, pal. In any case, you've still got time to download all of your stored photos from Twitpic -- just give those poor folks a little time to release the tool that'll let you do it.
