Apple Obtains iPad Trademark From Fujitsu

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Tip your hat to Apple today as it has succeeded at obtaining full rights to the iPad trademark from Fujitsu. The trademark was previously owned by Fujitsu who developed and sold a handheld scanner with the name ‘iPad” in 2002; the mobile device was used by retailers to track inventory, check prices, and complete sales away from a stationary sales terminal. Fujitsu applied for the “iPad” trademark in 2003 and it remained in limbo until April 2009 when it fell into “abandoned” status. Fujitsu re-opened the trademark application and the USPTO published it for public review and comment in September 2009. This newly re-opened trademark caught Apple’s attention and the Cupertino company went on the offensive by objecting to Fujitsu’s application and filing its own trademark application for the term iPad.

Over the course of the past few months, Apple and Fujitsu have waged a minor shouting war over the trademark with Fujitsu claiming ownership and Apple objecting. With the Apple iPad slated to launch on April 3rd, solving the issue surrounding the iPad name  became imperative for Apple. Though the details are unknown, Apple and Fujitsu have worked out a last minute agreement as a document uncovered by PatentAuthority.com reveals that Fujitsu re-assigned the iPad trademark in its entirety to Apple. The transfer was completed and the trademark was assigned to Apple on March 17th, approximately two weeks before the April 3rd launch date.

What transpired must have happened behind tightly closed doors as nary a word of this agreement has been made public until now. Though we don’t know with certainty, we can only presume that it involved the transfer of a large lump sum of cash from Apple to Fujitsu in return for the rights to the name iPad. Now with the ownership of the iPad trademark clearly in its possession, Apple can relax comfortably and release the highly anticipated tablet device on April 3rd without any legal form of reprisal from Fujitsu.