Apple Sues To Win Trademarks For Augmented-Reality Software (reuters.com) 28
Apple has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for refusing to grant trademarks covering the company's augmented-reality software development tools "Reality Composer" and "Reality Converter." Reuters reports: Apple, whose augmented-reality technology is a centerpiece of its newly released Vision Pro headset, asked the court (PDF) on Friday to reverse the USPTO's decision that the phrases were not distinctive enough to receive federal trademark protection. "Consumers must exercise imagination to understand how the nonsensical phrases 'reality composer' and 'reality converter' -- which sound like science fiction impossibilities -- relate to Apple's products," the complaint said. "They are suggestive, just as Burger King is a fast-food chain, not an actual monarch."
Apple's Reality Composer and Reality Converter allow developers to create and alter 3-D augmented-reality content for Apple apps. The content is compatible with Apple devices including the Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, which the tech giant began selling earlier this month. Turkish visual-effects company ZeroDensity challenged Apple's trademark applications at the USPTO, arguing that the phrases could not receive federal trademarks because they merely describe what the software does. ZeroDensity also said Apple's trademarks would cause confusion with its own "Reality"-related marks.
ZeroDensity, the named defendant in the case, said in a statement on Monday that it was "surprised and concerned by [Apple's] misinterpretation and misrepresentation of our company" and is "resolute in defending our 'Reality' trademarks." A USPTO tribunal agreed with ZeroDensity that Apple's marks were descriptive without addressing whether they would confuse consumers. Apple said in Friday's complaint that its phrases were "made-up terms coined by Apple that do not describe the underlying software development tools." "In contrast, descriptive terms like Raisin Bran or American Airlines straightforwardly describe the goods and services offered under the brand name," Apple said. "As innovative as Apple is, it cannot 'compose' or 'convert' reality." Apple argued that its marks would not cause consumer confusion and accused ZeroDensity of trying to "claim broad rights in the word 'reality,' which no one entity can monopolize."
Apple's Reality Composer and Reality Converter allow developers to create and alter 3-D augmented-reality content for Apple apps. The content is compatible with Apple devices including the Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, which the tech giant began selling earlier this month. Turkish visual-effects company ZeroDensity challenged Apple's trademark applications at the USPTO, arguing that the phrases could not receive federal trademarks because they merely describe what the software does. ZeroDensity also said Apple's trademarks would cause confusion with its own "Reality"-related marks.
ZeroDensity, the named defendant in the case, said in a statement on Monday that it was "surprised and concerned by [Apple's] misinterpretation and misrepresentation of our company" and is "resolute in defending our 'Reality' trademarks." A USPTO tribunal agreed with ZeroDensity that Apple's marks were descriptive without addressing whether they would confuse consumers. Apple said in Friday's complaint that its phrases were "made-up terms coined by Apple that do not describe the underlying software development tools." "In contrast, descriptive terms like Raisin Bran or American Airlines straightforwardly describe the goods and services offered under the brand name," Apple said. "As innovative as Apple is, it cannot 'compose' or 'convert' reality." Apple argued that its marks would not cause consumer confusion and accused ZeroDensity of trying to "claim broad rights in the word 'reality,' which no one entity can monopolize."
"Reality" (Score:2)
How is "Reality" trademarkable?
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The same way "Word", "Excel", and "Office" are.
Re:"Reality" (Score:5, Interesting)
How is "Reality" trademarkable? The same way "Word", "Excel", and "Office" are.
Except totally not.
The only trademarks MS got for those words were associated with a very specific brand, hence they got "Microsoft Word", "Microsoft Excel" and "Microsoft Office". That's right, there is a difference (not the "same way" as you ignorantly claim)
That's why something generic like "Some Word", "Excel at Numbers" and "An Office" couldn't easily be claimed (if at all) as trademarks.
LoL (Score:1)
LoL gotta love those trolls that get called out on their stupidity, then try to act like they're the smart one.
I'll give you 5 points for effort. And I'll deduct 10 points for doubling down on your own stupidity. So now you're -5 points. There ya go; thanks for playing!
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But that's beside the point, because Apple didn't try to trademark "Reality", a concept you are obviously unfamiliar with.
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I wasn't even thinking about Apple. Why so hostile?
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Then you said "a concept you are obviously unfamiliar with." That was unnecessary. Don't pretend it wasn't hostile.
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I'm calmer than you.
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There you go again, being all hostile.
Also, Fox News? WTF?
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I heard reality bites.
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What happened to everything starting with i (Score:2)
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They need to go back to their iTerminology. Like iGlasses
Even though "iGlasses" is a great Product Name for the "Vision" Line, Apple was Deprecating the "i" Prefix back when Jobs was still quite alive.
And in fact, Apple released several Hardware Products without the "i", even during the "i-era". PowerMac, Cube, XServe, AppleTV, all MacBook(s), Mac Pro, Mac mini, AirPort, etc; far more, in fact, than ever wore that iconic "i" Badge of Distinction (a testament to how powerful that association with Apple became). In fact, at this point in early 2024, only the iMac,
Morpheus vs. Apple (Score:2)
Morpheus: What is "real"? How do you define "real"? If you're talking about what you can feel, what you can smell, what you can taste and see, then "real" is simply electrical signals interpreted by your brain...
So yes, according to Morpheus it's possible to both "compose" and "convert" reality with VR and AI.
Morpheus 1, Apple 0
Typical domination (Score:2)
The good old "How do you like them Apples?" push back on bureaucratic legislation and overwrought courts. They can afford the high cost of legal justice and fairness.
Fuck apple (Score:1)
accused ZeroDensity of trying to "claim broad rights in the word 'reality,' which no one entity can monopolize.
you can be sure if apple gets the trademark to the word they would monopolize it. apple is the worst.