A lawsuit problem with Apple arises over trademark rights of "iWatch"

ByHiné Mizushima

It was thought that Apple used for the company's smart watch "IWatch"It was revealed that an appeal was raised to prevent Apple from using this name in Europe.

Apple Is Getting Sued Over the Name iWatch, Even Though That's Not What Its Product Is Called - Bloomberg Business
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-14/apple-is-getting-sued-over-the-name-iwatch-even-though-that-s-not-what-its-product-is-called

This case was raised by a software and network development company based in Dublin, IrelandProbendi, The company claims that in March 2008 it acquired the right to use the name "iWatch" exclusively in the EU as a name for computers and software.

When accessing the item of "iWatch" on Probendi's site, contents indicating this case appearance are displayed.

Probendi
http://www.probendi.ie/iwatch.html


Although Apple is being accused of misappropriating the name of "iWatch", the company said that it uses the keyword "iWatch" on Google Adwords that displays advertisements in conjunction with Google search results. In other words, by paying advertisement fees to Google, when the keyword "iWatch" is searched,Apple WatchThat is why it is displayed in the search high rank.

Using the Google Adwords mechanism itself is one of the commercial activities without any problems, but Probendi is problematic as it uses the keyword "iWatch" here. According to Bloomberg who obtained the complaint, Probendi says "Apple systematically uses the name of iWatch on the Google search engine to guide users to their websites and advertise Apple Watch" It is said that he is complaining as.

For this matter, comments from Google and Apple have not been announced.

Probendi's co-founder, Daniele Di Salvo, to Bloomberg, the company to Apple in 2014Warn of the use of nameIt is believed that the appeal this time is on the extension line. According to Di Salvo, the company is planning to use products based on Android Wear at a price lower than Apple Watch and plan to use the name "iWatch" for this product. Regarding the development status of the product Di Salvo says "in standby".

Probendi has urged an urgent procedure (emergency procedure) for injunction against the use of the name. The company and a law firm specializing in copyright infringementBarzanò & ZanardoIt is estimated that the name "iWatch" is worth the equivalent of 87 million euros (about 120 billion yen).

As for Apple, as a result of consultation with "Aiphone", the largest intercom maker in Japan,IPhone was decided as "iPhone"The background is well known. Although the lawsuit over iWatch does not have a big influence on the product name itself, interest is likely to gather for how it goes.