MacRumors.com

Appleinsider reports that Apple has started trademark applications "in a Far East intellectual property office" for the term "multi-touch".

"Multi-touch" is one of the key technologies that is seen in Apple's new iPhone, but there has been analyst and user speculation that Apple would utilize this technique in future desktop or notebook functionality.

Apple's recent multitouch mouse patent application provides further evidence that Apple is exploring other non-iPhone uses for this technology.

Apple is not the only company utilizing "multi-touch" technology. Microsoft recently introduced their own version of it in their "Surface Computing" project. Whether or not Apple can actually receive trademark protection for this term remains to be seen.

Update: It appears Apple has filed for "Multi-touch" trademark in the U.S. as well, with an application date of June 30, 2007:

IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Handheld mobile digital electronic devices with electronic mail, digital data transmission, audio player, video player, handheld computer, personal digital assistant, electronic organizer, electronic notepad, telephone, computer gaming, and camera functions, and computer software for use with such devices