This week in trademarks, Apple filed for 'Live Text' and 'SignTime.' The former was officially launched with iOS 15. Apple's new Live Text feature was first introduced and amplified during this year's WWDC-21 keynote by SVP Software Engineering, as presented in the video clip below.

Apple files for 'Live Text' Trademark

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Although the U.S. Patent Office only published Apple's trademark filing for 'Live Text' this past week, the original filing was made on November 11^th.

Apple filed their trademark under International Classes 009 covering: "computer software used to identify, read, decipher, copy, paste, and translate text embedded in photographs and other images, open websites based on embedded text, dial phone numbers based on embedded text, and produce map directions based on embedded text."

Apple also filed for the "Live Text" trademark in Hong Kong under number 305804703 which was also filed under the same International Class of 009 as described above.

Apple files for 'SignTime' Trademark in Hong Kong

SignTime, now part of Apple's Accessibility features, was officially launched on May 20, 2021, to connect Apple Store and Apple Support customers with on-demand sign language interpreters. The SignTime feature enables customers to communicate with AppleCare and Retail Customer Care by using American Sign Language (ASL) in the US, British Sign Language (BSL) in the UK, or French Sign Language (LSF) in France, right in their web browsers. Customers visiting Apple Store locations can also use SignTime to remotely access a sign language interpreter without booking ahead of time. SignTime will initially launch in the US, UK, and France, with plans to expand to additional countries in the future.

Apple filed for this trademark in Hong Kong under number 305805450. They filed it under International Classes 9, 35, 37, 38, 41 and 42 which basically covers (9) downloadable software; (35) retail store and online retail services; (37) repair and servicing of computers; (38) video conferencing services and communication by computer terminals enabling interactive sign language interpretation. (41) Educational services, namely, sign language interpretation, multimedia content featuring sign language interpretation; (42) Computer hardware and software consulting services. You could search this site for more details on trademark classes.

It should be noted that International trademark classes that Apple files their trademarks under are important as the trademark registration will only protect those classes that have been identified in their original application. In a legal battle, the classes filed for originally could make or break a legal case.