Apple, not Intel, filed for Thunderbolt trademark
Counter to early indications that Intel already owned the trademark for the Thunderbolt high-speed I/O technology, recently discovered applications with the U.S. and Canadian trademark offices reveal that Apple has filed for the mark.
Apple has leveraged a November 2010 trademark application for the Thunderbolt term in Jamaica to advance claims with the U.S Patent & Trademark Office and the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, MacNN reported on Wednesday.
According to the USPTO, Apple filed an application on May 6, 2011 for a standard character mark that would associate Thunderbolt with a variety of computer- and data-related functions, such as computer peripheral devices, cables, connectors and digital and audio devices.
The move comes as a surprise, as several documents, including the packaging for the early 2011 Thunderbolt MacBook Pros, state that Thunderbolt is a registered trademark of Intel.
In fact, Intel itself lists Thunderbolt on its Trademark Information page. However, MacNN notes that a quick search of U.S. and Canadian records failed to turn up any Intel claims to the mark.
Intel had originally codenamed the technology "Light Peak," eventually deciding on the name Thunderbolt during the development process. Apple's reported contributions to the project include the Mini DisplayPort standard and an "electrical solution" that saw the optical cables changed to copper in order to provide power.
Prior to the official unveiling of the technology, speculation arose that Thunderbolt was Apple's name for the technology, similar to an earlier decision by the company to brand the IEEE 1394 technology as "FireWire."
Rumors emerged earlier this week that Sony plans to implement Thunderbolt in the form of a Type-A USB jack.
HP indicated on Tuesday that it had looked into Thunderbolt, but hadn't "found a value proposition yet." The PC maker has decided to stick with Intel's USB 3.0 specification instead. Intel stated last month its belief that USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt will be "complementary" to each other.
Apple has leveraged a November 2010 trademark application for the Thunderbolt term in Jamaica to advance claims with the U.S Patent & Trademark Office and the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, MacNN reported on Wednesday.
According to the USPTO, Apple filed an application on May 6, 2011 for a standard character mark that would associate Thunderbolt with a variety of computer- and data-related functions, such as computer peripheral devices, cables, connectors and digital and audio devices.
The move comes as a surprise, as several documents, including the packaging for the early 2011 Thunderbolt MacBook Pros, state that Thunderbolt is a registered trademark of Intel.
In fact, Intel itself lists Thunderbolt on its Trademark Information page. However, MacNN notes that a quick search of U.S. and Canadian records failed to turn up any Intel claims to the mark.
Intel had originally codenamed the technology "Light Peak," eventually deciding on the name Thunderbolt during the development process. Apple's reported contributions to the project include the Mini DisplayPort standard and an "electrical solution" that saw the optical cables changed to copper in order to provide power.
Prior to the official unveiling of the technology, speculation arose that Thunderbolt was Apple's name for the technology, similar to an earlier decision by the company to brand the IEEE 1394 technology as "FireWire."
Rumors emerged earlier this week that Sony plans to implement Thunderbolt in the form of a Type-A USB jack.
HP indicated on Tuesday that it had looked into Thunderbolt, but hadn't "found a value proposition yet." The PC maker has decided to stick with Intel's USB 3.0 specification instead. Intel stated last month its belief that USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt will be "complementary" to each other.
Comments
Really hate the 'Thunderbolt' name. 'Light Peak' is much better. Less in your face, more elegant... in my elegant opinion.
Light Peak says nothing. I don't see what's great about it.
Zeus is gonna be pissed.
I think Thor is up there too.
I don't understand why AppleInsider thinks they can take stock Apple pictures, assemble them into a collage, and then stamp their own watermark on the result.
It is kind of Andy Warhol isn't it?
Light Peak says nothing. I don't see what's great about it.
Light Peak originally referred to its fiber optic medium. Of course, "FireWire" doesn't contain fire and "DVD" doesn't really tell you anything either. Of course you could go the literal route and call your port for displays "DisplayPort".
It's really more about aesthetics and marketing. I agree, "Light Peak" sounds sleek and futuristic, while Thunderbolt sounds like a monster truck. Pretty un-Apple.
It's really more about aesthetics and marketing. I agree, "Light Peak" sounds sleek and futuristic, while Thunderbolt sounds like a monster truck. Pretty un-Apple.
I like your analogy, I agree. Light Peak rolls off the tongue well, trying to say thunderbolt to clients just leaves you feeling kinda over the top.
I think Thor is up there too.
Zeus and Thor have been battling that one out in the celestial courts for milennia, perhaps this is one of those "games of the gods" where they get the little clay voodoo dolls and let them play out the contest.
Only question left, was it Zeus or Thor that chose Apple as their champion?
Light Peak originally referred to its fiber optic medium. Of course, "FireWire" doesn't contain fire and "DVD" doesn't really tell you anything either. Of course you could go the literal route and call your port for displays "DisplayPort".
It's really more about aesthetics and marketing. I agree, "Light Peak" sounds sleek and futuristic, while Thunderbolt sounds like a monster truck. Pretty un-Apple.
Your post is Light Peak, mine was Thunderbolt.
Really hate the 'Thunderbolt' name. 'Light Peak' is much better. Less in your face, more elegant... in my elegant opinion.
Well, LightPeak doesn't really make sense for the Apple implantation. LightPeak originally refers to the fact that its an optical connection (hence the light part). However, the current implantation uses copper wiring (ie. an electrical connection), so the LightPeak name wouldn't really fit. Thunderbolt does... although quite a few people I know have gotten it confused with the HTC Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt sounds srs.
Cuz Apple is kikin BUTTs
I don't understand why AppleInsider thinks they can take stock Apple pictures, assemble them into a collage, and then stamp their own watermark on the result.
Everyone does it. Does it mean anything? No.