The Magic Slate, iTablet, iSlate, TabletMac are a few names we have already heard and now the new one joining the long list of names rumored for the Apple tablet is “iPad”. It is learnt that Apple has filed a request to get its rights on the trademark “iPad” which currently belongs to Fujitsu. The request that is opposed by Fujitsu is pending in a case with the US Patent and Trademark Office, and Apple has repeatedly asked for more time to submit proof to validate its claim.
This might well be an attempt by Apple to keep the Tablet project underwraps till an official announcement is made. Currently the US Patent and Trademark Office has granted Apple time till February 28th, and that should be enough time for Apple with the official announcement of the tablet being expected on 26th January.
Apple has the iPod since ages, and the name iPad is quite similar to the same. In a normal scenario, this application by Apple would have been recognized as just an effort to protect the iPod brand. However, Fujitsu has the iPad trademark since 2003 and Apple has only recently turned its eyes on the iPad name, thus the linkage to the tablet!
Last week, the IPAD name was registered in New Zealand, Australia and Trinidad and Tobago by a company called IP Application Development. Apple was also found to be behind the company Slate Computing in trademarking the name “iSlate.” [Apple Insider].