Apple’s long march toward global iWatch domination is underway.
A day after the blogosphere went wild over news that Apple had officially sought trademark protection in Japan for what has long been rumored the name of its coming smartwatch, the list of countries reporting similar moves keeps multiplying.
Sleuthing bloggers on Tuesday discovered that Apple has made a similar legal foray in Russia. And Turkey. And Mexico. In terms of wearable technology from Apple, the domino theory is apparently in full swing.
Apple hasn’t commented on the latest reports, and it is unclear whether Apple has applied for trademark registration in the United States. But rumors have been flying for months that a 100-member Apple team is slaving over a smartwatch that could link up to an iPhone or iPad. Meanwhile, rival Samsung says it’s preparing to release its own version of a smartwatch, while other examples of wearable technology are drawing rave reviews by users.
“I’m not sure why they started in Japan,” said analyst Tim Bajarin with Creative Strategies. “But it wouldn’t surprise me if Apple were applying for trademark protection in countries all over the world.”
As the Apple-centric blog 9to5Mac reported Tuesday, Apple lawyers in Mexico filed the application June 3, the same day they filed one in Japan.
“Apple filed the iWatch trademark under two categories relating to the hardware and software of mobile devices, according to the submitted documents,” said 9to5.
Next stop, Zimbabwe?
