It's bad news for Apple.
According to a an article recently released on slashgear.com, Apple applied for a patent on their new iPad mini, but the patent was denied.
After the technology giant introduced its new iPad mini version, Apple applied for a patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on the device.
In January, Apple received a letter stating that the office denied the patent, addressing how common the word "Mini" is for devices and items.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office denied the patent, stating reasons that the word "Mini" is not a specific type of iPad, but a descriptor of the type. The word mini, therefore, cannot be patented by Apple.
Apple's use of the word to describe their smaller tablet was also addressed in the letter. In order to achieve a patent, the request would have to be more specific.
Apple does have a chance to appeal the patent denial if it chooses. It will have to redesign its application, specifically addressing anything else that makes the Mini more than just a smaller version of the already-patented Apple iPad.
If the company addresses the specifics of the name in the appeal, it will eventually be granted the trademark.
Something unusual did come up, though, in the rejection letter. Apple commonly uses pictures in their applications for patents, but this time it was presented as a problem. The rejection stated that the company was not allowed to use images in the applications, and if Apple were to appeal, this problem would have to be remedied as well.
According to a an article recently released on slashgear.com, Apple applied for a patent on their new iPad mini, but the patent was denied.
After the technology giant introduced its new iPad mini version, Apple applied for a patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on the device.
In January, Apple received a letter stating that the office denied the patent, addressing how common the word "Mini" is for devices and items.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office denied the patent, stating reasons that the word "Mini" is not a specific type of iPad, but a descriptor of the type. The word mini, therefore, cannot be patented by Apple.
Apple's use of the word to describe their smaller tablet was also addressed in the letter. In order to achieve a patent, the request would have to be more specific.
Apple does have a chance to appeal the patent denial if it chooses. It will have to redesign its application, specifically addressing anything else that makes the Mini more than just a smaller version of the already-patented Apple iPad.
If the company addresses the specifics of the name in the appeal, it will eventually be granted the trademark.
Something unusual did come up, though, in the rejection letter. Apple commonly uses pictures in their applications for patents, but this time it was presented as a problem. The rejection stated that the company was not allowed to use images in the applications, and if Apple were to appeal, this problem would have to be remedied as well.
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