Apple Marketing Updates App Store Trademark to Cover e-Books
Apple marketing has strategically yet quietly updated and extended their App Store trademark coverage - just as new products for 2010 are being tabled. One such upgrade could translate into seeing an extended line of App Store Specific Gift Cards for this or next Christmas as "prepaid purchase cards and gift cards" are now covered in this upgrade under international class 016. Considering that Apple has surpassed two billion downloads, it would almost seem natural to see App Store specific gift cards roll out in the coming years. The second and perhaps most important classification coverage upgrade that Apple has made in this round, is adding International Class 009 which covers printed material. Under this classification we find "downloadable e-books" that in effect would cover e-versions of "printed publications; periodicals; books; magazines; newsletters; brochures; booklets; pamphlets; manuals; journals; music books; music instruction manuals," and "music magazines." The electronic versions of these materials will play a huge roll in Apple's 2010 Media Pad/Tablet roll out. A new segment supporting e-books is widely expected to be found at the iTunes Store in concert with the new tablet's debut. The added coverage for the App Store trademark at this time is a sure tell-tale sign that Apple's marketing machine is ramping up for this product launch.
International Classes Detailed in Today's Trademark Application
Specifically, Apple has added seven International Classes relating to the App Store trademark upgrade. In March of 2008 the App Store had originally covered classes 035 relating to Retail Store Services, 038 for Telecommunications and 042 for updating software.
It's typical of Apple to absolutely bury their future intentions somewhere within the International Classes detailed below. The entries that are listed go far beyond standard boiler plate classification verbiage. However, it's anyone's guess as to which new products Apple is trying to cover specifically. Beyond the two areas covered above, I found another of interest dealt with "headgear." Apple recently won a patent covering a new iPod video headset – and so this is one to watch for in the coming years. Can you see anything of interest listed below that could be on Apple's product horizon?
International Class 009: Scientific, nautical, surveying, photographic, cinematographic, optical, weighing, measuring, signaling, checking (supervision), life-saving and teaching apparatus and instruments; apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity; apparatus for recording, transmission or reproduction sound, images or other data; magnetic data carriers, recording discs; automatic vending machines and mechanisms for coin-operated apparatus; cash registers, calculating machines, data processing equipment and computers; computer hardware; computer software; digital data; computer networks; computer terminals; computer peripherals; computer software provided via the Internet and other computer and electronic communication networks; computer software for use on handheld mobile digital electronic devices and other consumer electronics; computer software for accessing, browsing, searching and retrieving information, sites and other resources available on global computer networks, online databases and other communication networks; computer software for the redirection of messages, Internet, e-mail, and/or other data to one or more electronic handheld devices from a data store on or associated with a personal computer or a server; telephone-based information retrieval software and hardware; software for the synchronization of data between a remote station or device and a fixed or remote station or device; computer communication software for the synchronization, transmission and sharing of data, calendar, content and messaging between one or more electronic handheld units and data stored on or associated with a computer; handheld and mobile digital electronic devices for the sending and receiving of telephone calls, faxes, electronic mail, video, instant messaging, music, audiovisual and other multimedia works and other digital data; electronic handheld units for the wireless receipt, storage and/or transmission of data and messages, and electronic devices that enable the user to keep track of or manage personal information; prerecorded computer programs for personal information management; computer software and applications provided via the Internet and other computer telecommunication, wireless and electronic communication networks; database management software; computer hardware and software for providing integrated telephone communication with computerized global information networks; downloadable audio and video recordings featuring music, comedy, drama, action, adventure and/or animation; downloadable e-books, audio books, computer games, electronic games and other data; mobile phones; mobile phones for the accessing of databases of computer software and application; mobile phones for the accessing of retail stores featuring computer software and applications provided via the Internet and other computer telecommunications, wireless and electronic communications networks; mobile phones for searching, browsing and retrieving information, sites, and other resources available on global computer networks and other communications networks. Telephones; handheld computers; personal assistants; electronic organizers; electronic notepads. Computer gaming machines, electronic communication apparatus, equipment and instruments; telecommunications apparatus, equipment and instruments; MP3 and other digital format audio and video players; computer equipment for use with any of the aforesaid goods; computer software and computer hardware apparatus with multimedia functions for use with any of the aforesaid goods; MP3 and other digital format audio and video players with multimedia and interactive functions for use with any of the aforesaid goods; accessories, parts, fittings, and testing apparatus for all the aforementioned goods; parts and accessories for handhelds, mobile telephones and other mobile digital electronic devices; apparatus for data storage; magnetic data carriers; microprocessors; memory boards; hard drives; miniature hard disk drive storage units; pre-recorded vinyl records; CD-ROMs; digital versatile discs; audio tapes; audio-video tapes; audio video cassettes; audio video disks; digital music and/or video players; electric phonographs; high fidelity stereo apparatus; cameras; videophones; radios; facsimile machines; answering machines; printers; connectors; monitors; displays; keyboards; mouse pads; modems; drivers; batteries; rechargeable batteries; chargers; chargers for electric batteries; charging stations; docking cradles; adapters; desk stands; car kits; car audio apparatus; cables; headphones; stereo headphones; in-ear headphones; stereo speakers; audio speakers; audio speakers for home; personal stereo speaker apparatus; monitor speakers; speakers for computers; microphones; radio receivers, amplifiers, sound recording and reproducing apparatus; audio, video and digital mixers; radio transmitters; sound effect apparatus and instruments (computer software); electronic tone generators (computer software); apparatus for connecting and charging portable and handheld digital electronic devices; user manuals in electronically readable, machine readable or computer readable form for use with, and sold as a unit with, all the aforementioned goods; mobile phone covers and cases; mobile phone covers and cases made of leather, imitations of leather, cloth or textile materials; bags and cases adapted or shaped to contain MP3 players, hand held computers, personal digital assistants, cameras, video cameras; totes and holsters; holders, straps, armbands, lanyards and clips for portable and handheld digital electronic devices for recording, organizing, transmitting, manipulating and reviewing text, data, audio, image and video files; blank computer storage media, fonts, typefaces, type designs and symbols in the form of recorded data; computer equipment for use with any of the aforesaid goods; electronic apparatus with multimedia functions for use with any of the aforesaid goods; interactive products comprising for use with any of the aforesaid goods; parts and fittings for all the aforesaid goods.
International Class 014: Precious metals and their alloys and goods in precious metals or coated therewith, not included in other classes; jewellery, precious stones; horological and chronometric instruments; clocks; watches; key rings; cuff-links; label pins; tie pins; cases for clocks, watches or jewels; cases and containers of precious metal; coins; parts and fittings for all the aforesaid goods.
International Class 016: Paper, cardboard and goods made from these materials, not included in other classes; printed matter; bookbinding material; photographs; stationery; adhesives for stationery or household purposes; artists' material; paint brushes; typewriters and office requisites (except furniture); instructional and teaching material (except apparatus); plastic materials for packaging (not included in other classes), printers' type; printing blocks; non-magnetically encoded prepaid purchase cards and gift cards; printed publications; periodicals; books; magazines; newsletters; brochures; booklets; pamphlets; manuals; journals; leaflets; greeting cards; advertising and promotional material; catalogues; catalogues relating to computer software; computer brochures; computer handbooks; computer hardware publications; computer hardware reference manuals; computer hardware users guides; computer instruction manuals; computer manuals; publications relating to technology, digital technology and gadgets; catalogues relating to telecommunications apparatus, mobile phones, handheld and mobile digital electronic devices for the sending and receiving of telephone calls, faxes, electronic mail, video, instant messaging, music, audiovisual and other multimedia works and other digital media; catalogues relating to musical apparatus and instruments, music books; music instruction manuals; music magazines; telephone and address books, agendas, diaries, calendars, posters, mounted and unmounted photographs, printed patterns for T-Shirts and sweatshirts, decals and bumper stickers; parts and fittings of the aforesaid goods.
International Class 018: Leather and imitations of leather, and goods made of these materials and not included in other classes; animal skins, hides; trunks and travelling bags; travel goods; umbrellas, parasols and walking sticks; athletic bags; beach bags; leather bags; school bags; shoe bags; waist bags; backpacks; fanny packs; waist packs; wallets; purses; parts and accessories for all the aforesaid goods.
International Class 021: Household or kitchen utensils and containers; combs and sponges; brushes (except paint brushes); brush-making materials; articles for cleaning purposes; steel wool; unworked or semi-worked glass (except glass used in building); glassware, porcelain and earthenware not included in other classes; mugs; cups; drinking glasses.
International Class 025: Clothing, footwear, headgear; clothing for men, women and children, namely t-shirts, sweatshirts, jogging suits, trousers, jeans, pants, shorts, tank tops, rainwear, skirts, blouses; dresses, sweaters, jackets, coats, raincoats, snow suits, ties, robes, hats, caps, sun visors, belts, scarves, sleepwear, pyjamas, lingerie, underwear, boots, shoes, sneakers, sandals, booties, slipper socks; parts and accessories for all the aforesaid goods.
International Class 028: Games and playthings; gymnastic and sporting articles not included in other classes; decorations for Christmas trees; toys; playing cards; electronic hand-held game units; playing cards; musical toys and playthings; toy musical boxes; toy musical instruments; toy record players for playing tunes and cassettes; musical games; battery operated toys; electronic toys; computer controlled exercise apparatus, other than for therapeutic use; electric computer games, other than those adapted for use with television receivers; toy computers (not working); parts and fittings for all the aforesaid goods.
The new application was filed in Germany by BIRD & BIRD LLP.
To read this report in another major language, check out Yahoo! Babel Fish.
Comments