Apple applies for European iCloud trademark
updated 03:45 pm EDT, Wed June 1, 2011
Last-minute preparations continue
Apple has filed for an "iCloud" trademark with the European Trademark Office. If granted, the application should cover the name under 12 International Classes, and many different uses. Some notable ones include: "delivering digital music by telecommunications," "online social networking services," "multimedia content for a fee or pre-paid subscription," "electronic books and magazines," "photographic services," "games" and "headgear."
While such applications are often deliberately broad, and thus not necessarily reflective of Apple's actual plans, the sheer number of classes and uses covered may back the notion that iCloud will be more than a simple retreading of MobileMe. Its marquee feature is expected to be music streaming, and more precisely mirrored access to tracks detected in a person's iTunes library.
Apple appears to still be working on legal arrangements for iCloud even as the service's formal unveiling approaches on June 6th. Negotiations for movies and TV shows are allegedly ongoing, although business obstacles will likely prevent any mention of video streaming next week. When the first incarnation of iCloud might launch is unknown.
Apple first applied for an iCloud trademark in December. The submission was made in Jamaica, however, and went largely unnoticed. Corporations frequently make patent or trademark submissions in regions like Jamaica in order to get a jump on priority when filing in North America or Europe.
