iWatch Trade Mark Application

There have been rumours that Apple’s next big hardware release would come in the form of an interactive wrist watch. It would seem these speculations are more than mere technological fantasy.

Earlier this month a Russian newspaper reported that Apple has allegedly filed a trademark application for the iWatch. Apple filed the application with the Russian Federal Service for Intellectual Property for a pair of international classification of Goods and Services trade marks.

However it is possible Apple could face some barriers to approving this trade mark as a Russian online wrist watch retailer known as i-watch.ru first secured the trade mark in 2006. Further, in 2011 an unnamed company attempted to register the name ‘iWatch’ but was denied as it conflicted with an earlier mark for ‘iswatch’ which was held by Swatch watch company.

Whether or not the trade mark allegations are true, what seems to be a reality is that Apple has a team of around 100 designers working on a ‘wristwatch-like device that may perform some tasks now handled by the iphone and ipad.’

Alexander McIsaac Southampton Solent Law Student