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Unless you’ve been without power for the last couple of days then you’ll instantly associate the word “iPad” with Apple’s latest device. But Apple may face a battle in winning a trademark for that name as several other companies already use it. One of those companies is Fujitsu, which has a touchscreen, mobile device called the Fujitsu iPad. The key difference being Fujitsu sell it as a point-of-sale device for use in retail stores. The Register also managed to uncover other products that carry the iPad name. They include an encrypted credit-card swiper from Magtek, certain engine and motor models from Siemens, and a breast enhancing bra.
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Of all the companies using the name, Fujitsu seems the most intent on trademarking it and has attempted to do so in the past. It originally failed due to Magtek’s products, but a new attempt was tried last June. Apple has been trying to get the name too, but it looks like it faces a fight and may never secure the trademark.
Read more at The Register
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/01/29/fujitsu_ipad/
Opinion:
If Fujitsu had a handheld device that you could use to access the Internet, read e-books, or generally use for entertainment purposes, then there would be a conflict here. As I see it, there is no overlap between the products.
Apple’s iPad is aimed at consumers, Fujitsu and Magtek’s iPad is for the business sector. The iPad bra is a consumer product, but clearly very different, although it could be classed as an entertainment device I suppose.
None of these companies should receive a trademark for the name, but that won’t stop Apple and Fujitsu fighting it out. None of the above even own iPad.com, which is currently hosting a cancer research website.
Ultimately, it all comes down to marketing and in that regard Apple wins hands down. If you say iPad to the majority of people they will think Apple product, and that is what matters in the end