Apple's Got a Big Problem: Fujitsu Applied to Trademark "iPad" First

Not only has Apple come under fire for naming their new tablet device the "iPad", inciting chuckles and references to feminine products, it now appears as though they may have a legal issue on their hands. It looks like as they did with the iPhone, Apple is seeking to use a name that existed before. Fujitsu first laid claim to the name with their Windows CE-based iPad in 2002.

According to the New York Times, Fujitsu's application to trademark the iPad name stalled due to an earlier filing by Mag-Tech, and information technology security company in Seal Beach, CA, for a handheld computer encrypting device. According to the US Patent and Trademark OFfice, Fujitsu's application was listed as abandoned in early 2009, but the company had revived their application in June 2009.

Just one month later, Apple used a proxy to apply for an international trademark for the iPad. Since then, Apple has filed a number of requests with the Patent Office for more time to oppose Fujitsu's application. Apple now has until February 28 to say whether it will oppose Fujitsu's claims to the iPad name.

This time around, it doesn't look like Apple can easily swoop in and pay off Fujitsu for the name, so they may actually end up fighting for it. And that will involve a lot of lawyers, and even more money.

Maybe they should have just named it iSlate....