I always prefer to err on the side of optimism, so given Apple’s obvious knowledge of FiftyThree’s product, I’d like to assume that these two are collaborating.
An internet search revealed that a product recently sold as Pencil By FiftyThree was available on the Apple Store, but clicking on the link provides an error page. Will we see a PENCIL filing by FiftyThree and some challenging words? Maybe so. There’s a thunderstorm in the Twin Cities as I write this, so I can’t help but to ask – does lightning ever strike in the same spot twice? This sure looks like a rare example of that.
#KFC SODA PAPER CUP DESIGN PATENT REGISTRATION#
While I’m on the subject, where did that “next greatest thing” disappear to? (I guess it still exists.) Facebook’s adoption of Paper was challenged in a blogpost by FiftyThree, which had a registration for PAPER BY FIFTYTHREE for various computer software and smartly filed an application for PAPER in the wake of Facebook’s announcement of the Facebook Paper app.
#KFC SODA PAPER CUP DESIGN PATENT PORTABLE#
for “computer stylus stylus for portable electronic devices including tablets.” Their product is available for purchase on their website and through Amazon.įiftyThree…FiftyThree…now where have I heard that before? Oh right, I wrote a prior post on the launch of Facebook Paper. The registration, issued on November 18, 2014, is owned by FiftyThree, Inc. Well, a search for “stylus” as the good and PENCIL as the mark reveals a prior registration: PENCIL BY FIFTYTHREE. There are no pending applications (as of a search last night) for APPLE PENCIL, or even PENCIL for a stylus. A recent review of applications filed in 2015 identified nothing really out of the ordinary, aside from the TUE 9 marks, which actually are design marks referring to the “look and feel” of at least part of the Apple Watch graphic user interface – the TUE 9 being letters and numbers in the calendar and an interesting topic itself, but I digress.
It’s one of the best ways to determine what might be launched at a new event since patents are not published until at least 18 months after they have been filed. In advance of an Apple event, I like to review trademark filings to see what Apple may have coming up. Apple knows this strategy well – filing even on icons and relying on their design patents to mount an expensive intellectual property attack against Samsung. But in addition to the technical advances of the new stylus, what about trademark protection? Layering IP protection with patents, design patents, trademarks, and trade dress protection is a highly recommended strategy to protect all facets of the IP for a product. Yes, at a whopping $99, I know I’ll probably lose it.Īnd, yes, they’ve applied for patents for a stylus in the past. The event showcased a new iPhone with enhanced photo features (as this Wired article aptly puts it “Because selfies.”), new iPads (including a BIG one – which I’m kind of intrigued by), an updated Apple TV, and one totally new product just in time for back to school – the $99 Apple Pencil. If you are a member of the Cult of Apple, like tech, or even just watch the news, you’re probably aware that yesterday was Apple’s big fall event where they announce new product launches and updates.