A company in China has had the iPad trademark since 2000. The company is called Proview Technologies and it actually sold the rights to iPad to another firm for the UK and other countries. That company then sold it to Apple. The problem was that apparently Chinese rights weren’t part of the original sale.

That means that Apple has been peddling the iPad in violation of the trademark in China for a while now. China is booming and important to most tech firms so Apple can’t just walk away. Proview is apparently looking for (imagine Dr. Evil as you read this next part) a billion dollars. Will Apple have to change its tablet’s name in China or pay up big time? That remains to be seen.

[via Reuters]

The application shows that the name will be used on different devices including smartphones and tablets. Once the Nexus launches early next month the next device will quite possibly carry this product name. The trademark in question is serial number 85480030 and it was filed on November 23, 2011.

Samsung has offered up no official comment on the name or when we might see the devices come to market using the name. What do you think we will see? My money is on a thin, quad core tablet with 4G, running Android 4.0.

[via Fusible]

Nintendo has decided that the phrase is key to its famous game character and its marketing plans and has filed for a trademark for “on like Donkey Kong.” Considering how long the phrase has been around and how generic it is, I can’t see this making it through the process. Then again, the people at the trademark and patent office aren’t known for thinking much before that grant these things.

The phrase has been used in song and movies over the years. Nintendo says the phrase is, “is an old, popular Nintendo phrase that has a number of possible interpretations depending on how it’s used. In addition to Nintendo’s use, it has been used in popular music, television and film over the years, pointing to Donkey Kong’s status as an enduring pop-culture icon and video game superstar.” What do you think, should Nintendo be granted the trademark?

Nintendo trademarked 3DS, 3DSPlay and 3DSWare. 3DSWare makes me think of DSiWare, the gaming distribution network that’s used by Nintendo for the DSi.

It’s definitely a clever name, since it combines 3D with DS. It’s also very simple all but seals the deal that 3DS will be the name of the new portable console. What do you guys think? Will it be 3DS or something more complicated? Personally, I think that it’s a great name.

[via Kotaku]

Apparently, a company called Groove Systems has been selling an application in the App Store called “iPad” since sometime back in late 2009. Whoops! Somehow the Apple lawyers didn’t catch that one.

While my Japanese isn’t very good, our friends at Google translate tell us that iPad is a some sort of note taking application that appears to do handwriting recognition and supports exchange of data over Bluetooth.

There’s no word on whether or not the iPad application will work on the actual iPad when it’s released, but if you do try it, I think it could cause a rift in the space-time-continuum – so try at your own risk.

At least this use of the iPad moniker is a bit more appropriate than this one:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Is anyone else waiting (hoping?) that Activision will expand beyond music? What about, say, Baking Hero? Accounting Hero? I mean, if we’re trying to make sure we appeal to all interests here, maybe we should think about expanding. Just a notion, Activision. You don’t have to thank me.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m just kicking back and waiting for the YouTube videos of kids playing DJ Hero, Guitar Hero, and Drum Hero all at the same time through creative use of appendages not typically employed for playing music. It’s gonna be epic.

[via Joystiq]

I shudder to think of it.

Actually, there’s no telling just what Jimmy Buffett’s brand might be used for in a gaming sense, but one thing is fact: Margaritaville has been trademarked for use in video games. I’m calling it now: nothing good can come from this. I’m almost pleased there aren’t any more details available. The truth will probably be too horrible to contemplate, and right now, I’m contemplating a lot.

[via Joystiq]

I’m not sure if SuperMario Plumbing & Heating thinks they can avoid the wrath of the Big “N” by removing the space from the name, or if the fact that Luigi doesn’t work there is is enough to differentiate them. (Although I do wonder if Princess Peach is their receptionist).

I don’t know about you guys, but if I lived in Edinburgh, I’d definitely want guys who have experience tossing Koopa shells, jumping over flaming barrels, and eating 1-up mushrooms fixing my toilet.

[via Flickr]

Tonight, the companies have jointly announced an agreement which will allow both companies to use the iPhone name on their own products.

No financial details were revealed, but all that we know is that all legal actions have been dropped by both parties. Apple and Cisco will also explore opportunities to collaborate on communication related projects in the future.

[via Reuters]

According to this report over at CrunchGear, Apple had been in negotiations with Cisco to seek permission to use the iPhone brand name, but never finalized the agreement prior to yesterday’s public announcement at Macworld. Now, since the agreement was never executed, Cisco has filed a lawsuit against Apple, Inc. to prevent their use of the iPhone moniker.

Cisco claims they entered into good faith negotiations with Apple and is now seeking injunctive relief to prevent apple from using the Cisco’s trademark. I suppose they could always just rename it “Apple Phone” – that seemed to do the trick for their set top box. I’d assume the two companies will eventually make nice, but not without some big bucks exchanging hands (especially for the lawyers!)

[via Yahoo! Finance]