Apple has been struck with two new trademark lawsuits from Chinese companies. The two separate suits deal with the Snow Leopard OS and also Siri.
Zhi Zhen Internet Technology filed a 2004 trademark for what is describe as a “chatting robot system”. Now, Zhi Zhen is claiming the functionality of Siri is covered by the patent.
More interestingly, there is a case by Jiangsu Xuebao (where Xuebao literally means “snow leopard” in Chinese). Xuebao began registering the trademark for a wide variety of goods, including computer products, in 1994 and has identified 104 violations by Apple, who released its Snow Leopard OS in 2009.
“[Xuebao Chairman] Tong said the company had developed a series of computer-related products under the trademark and accused Apple of making profits from its reputation in China,” reports the Shanghai Daily.
Xuebao, which is better known as a brand of toothpaste and detergent, points out that Apple’s application to trademark Xuebao was rejected in 2008. Further, Xuebao did not register the snow leopard mark with ill will or malicious intent.
While neither case is malicious squatting, Jiangsu Hongrun Law Firm noted that the Class 9 trademark case is “difficult” because while Xuebao owns both the Chinese characters as well as the phonetical “Xuebao” pinyin spelling, Apple China’s official website “only uses the word ‘Snow Leopard.'”
While both claims are not major as far as how much money is being sought, Apple will probably want to try and make a legal go at it so they don’t seem like easy patent/trademark bait.
Source: Brand Channel
