Apple may find it difficult to obtain iWatch trademark

Despite Apple’s lawyers registering the iWatch trademark worldwide, the company may hit a few issues when it comes to trademarking that name in key markets, such as the US, UK and China.

Currently in the UK a company called Probendi owns the iWatch name and use it on a smartphone app that “sends real-time audio, video and location data to the Critical Governance platform.”

The likelihood of Apple being able to buy the name if Probendi isn’t looking good, given Probendi would be required to change the name of an established brand.

It’s not as if Apple could just change the name of the iWatch solely in the UK either, given the fact that this trademark covers the whole of the EU.

If Apple is to buy the trademark, it’s likely that it will come at a high price, and Apple is more likely to just switch names ‘ after all the iPad name wasn’t one most people were expecting.

The US may also be a stumbling block for Apple, as another company by the name of OMG Electronics owns the iWatch trademark ‘ but it may be easier for Apple to buy it as the company hasn’t actually got an official product, and instead registered the trademark before unsuccessfully trying to raise money on crowd-funding website IndieGoGo.

One of the hardest markets for Apple to achieve the iWatch trademark may be China, a country which is seemingly in love with i products.

It wouldn’t be the first time the company has been through the Chinese trademark process, as it had to fight Proview for the use of the iPad name, a battle that ended up costing Apple $60 million.

If Apple were to register the iWatch trademark in China it may have to do battle with up to 9 companies, who have all registered trademarks under the same name ‘ although this won’t be the biggest thorn in Apple’s side as most of these trademarks are invalid.

Apple may have to do battle with another trademark in China as there is an active trademark on the name iWatching.