“The EU Patent & Trademark Office officially published two Apple trademark applications for ‘Lightning’ under numbers 011399821/862,” Jack Purcher reports for Patently Apple.
“What’s interesting about this filing is that it clearly illustrates that Apple had acquired the trademark from Harley-Davidson which is still protected until 2013,” Purcher reports. “One of the documents indicate that the transfer may have officially occurred yesterday, November 24, 2012, the date that it appeared in the EU’s public trademark database.”
Purcher reports, “Harley-Davidson may have retained the ability to use certain aspects of the trademark relating to the motorcyle parts and so on.”
Read more in the full article here.
Just what we needed to know. Harley-Davidson and Apple hook up.
Looking forward to the iHog. Oh yeah!
Roaring with laughter! Best line of the day. Best prediction of the week! I’ve never owned a Harley but have ridden them a number of times and have counted a number of Harley owners among my friends and relatives. Even dated an SF lawyer who defended Sonny Barger back in the day.
I hereby proclaim that I own the copyright on the word “Rain.”
really?? this patent nonsense is getting out of control and apple is definitely not taking the noble route
What the heck is the “noble route”, bending over and taking it up the butt like you do?
Yes really.
You should spend 5 minutes to get a middle school understanding of patents and trademarks before expressing your opinion.
Apple partially *acquired* the trademark without litigation, meaning Apple either purchased the it, or was given it by the kindness of Harley-Davidson’s heart.
Really? You can trademark common dictionary words?
I can understand if it was your company name but just for a product?
That’s crazy.
This all likely has to do with HD’s defunct ‘Buell’ brand. Buell over the years had several models bearing the Lightning name. Buell was a wholly owned subsidiary of HD. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buell_Motorcycle_Company