Leak: Fujitsu Internal Memo Over iPad Trademark
Sources has informed Tom's Hardware that Fujitsu has issued a company-wide memo regarding its official stance on the iPad name.
Last week, Apple made a splash with the expected announcement of the iPad. Even with Apple's affinity for iNames, few truly expected the iPad moniker due to the legal complications surrounding the trademark. But when Steve Jobs announced the iPad last month, those with knowledge of Fujitsu's product with the identical name knew that the fight had just begun.
Tom's Hardware received an anonymous tip that Fujitsu's management has sent out a company-wide memo regarding the official line on the current iPad trademark issue. We present it below:
Date: January 29, 201From: FAI MARCOTo: ALL- FAI EmployeeSubject: Apple’s iPad AnnouncementDear colleagues,On January 27, 2010, Apple launched a much-anticipated touch screen tablet computer product named the iPad. As many of you know, Fujitsu has been marketing a product named “iPad” for years as a mobile retail appliance. As this product is currently owned by Fujitsu Frontech North America (FFNA), they are the primary organization dealing with Apple over this trade market issue.It has come to our attention that some teams are receiving queries regarding this issue and FFNA has asked that the following statement be used in response to such inquiries:"Fujitsu is aware of Apple’s iPad announcement and the possible infringement on our trademark, which has been in use in connection with Fujitsu mobile retailing computer products since 2002. We are currently discussing our options with our trademark counsel and have no further comment at this time." If you receive media/press requests for comments, please forward the inquiries to the FFNA PR contact, [redacted]. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.Regards,Ron MitchellSenior Vice President, Corporate Marketing
Stay tuned as we bring you the latest in the Fujitsu vs. Apple in the iPad name wars.
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halcyon Perhaps Apple will be forced to give the device an...appropriate name, something along the lines of... iSlate or something else decent.Reply -
JonathanDeane If not the iPad what will Apple call its new device?Reply
Maybe the ipad could be the iPod Max. It kind of looks like a giant iPod touch to me... -
Sihastru iPad iTurns iInto iBloody iWar? iBring iIt iOn! iApple iHas iA iHistory iOf iStealing iProduct iNames. iMaybe iThis iWill iMake iThem iChange iIt... iIt iWas iA iSilly iName iAnyway.Reply -
husker Where is the corresponding Apple memo announcing that there is no announcement?Reply
Also... be careful Apple, Fujitsu knows Jujitsu. :) -
rooket Welp all they gotta do is rename it. I'm not attached to the iPad name and it isn't out yet. Good to see one company is letting a large company know before they release a product and before litigation these days. Respect to Fujitsu for that.Reply -
JamesSneed Hrm maybee they will rename it to the ipon? Apple, can you toss in Pi-Fi whith the new model? Thanks.Reply
Seriously someone is going to fight Apple for the use of iPad? Really? If I were Apple I would use this as a good excuse to rename the product to iTablet or something that doesn' bring up thoughts of menstrual cycles. -
theholylancer iPadd ftw, and they have to release a LCARS interface for itReply
then damn, I would have to buy the thing, apple or no apple lol -
tenor77 Wow even the name isn't original.Reply
% of the iPad that's new or original? Zero
SocnomiPad wars, its bloody!
Win