Intel Does Own the Thunderbolt Trademark, Not Apple - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Intel Does Own the Thunderbolt Trademark, Not Apple

thunderbolt

Bright Side of the News offers some clarification on the Thunderbolt trademark question brought up yesterday. While Apple did do some of the early trademark filings, Apple will be transferring those trademarks to Intel:

"As part of our collaboration with Apple, they did some of the initial trademark filings. Intel has full rights to the Thunderbolt trademark now and into the future. The Thunderbolt name will be used going forward on all platforms, irrespective of operating system."

Apple had originally applied for the Thunderbolt trademark in Canada and the U.S. generating some questions about the ownership of the trademark, and the ability for 3rd parties to use the term.

Popular Stories

iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in Two Months With These 12 New Features

Friday July 17, 2026 10:39 am PDT by
It is now mid-July, and that means the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now just two months away. The devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but there will still be many year-over-year changes, with rumored features including a smaller Dynamic Island, 5G via satellite, and more. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, ...
Apple AppleCare One Feature

'AppleCare One' is Now Even More Valuable

Saturday July 18, 2026 6:25 am PDT by
While the monthly and annual prices of AppleCare+ plans for Macs and iPads received a slight increase this week, AppleCare One continues to start at $19.99 per month in the U.S., making the multi-device plan even more valuable. Launched in July 2025, AppleCare One allows you to cover up to three devices as part of a single subscription for $19.99 per month, and additional devices can be...
Apple Up Arrow Fearture

Apple's Latest Price Increases Go Beyond Macs and iPads

Sunday July 19, 2026 8:50 am PDT by
After raising prices on all Macs and iPads worldwide last month, Apple increased prices on more products and services on Friday. Apple has raised prices on Apple Music and Apple One plans around the world, iCloud+ plans in eight countries, and on iPhone models in Japan.Apple Music Now Costs $11.99 as Apple Increases Subscription Prices Apple Raises iCloud+ Prices in 8 Countries Apple...

Top Rated Comments

OllyW Avatar
198 months ago
good news for both companies, now get others on board to support this instead of USB3
Intel is pushing Thunderbolt and USB 3, next year's Ivy Bridge chipset will support both.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-20053639-64.html
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
franswa za Avatar
198 months ago
good news for both companies, now get others on board to support this instead of USB3
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ghostlyorb Avatar
198 months ago
As soon as more computers get ThunderBolt... the more accessories you'll see! =)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ciTiger Avatar
198 months ago
I hope this means all brands will bring TB in the same connector and not get fragmented... :D
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MattJessop Avatar
198 months ago
Hopefully this means they'll be using the MDP connector going forward. I've never been a huge fan of the USB design because it'll just end up being confusing for consumers who think its the same as USB.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
198 months ago
The problem is one shouldn't have to look and then possibly having to turn the thing.

Please explain why you think this doesn't happen with the MDP connector. Without looking, you may have to try the MDP connector at four different angles before you get it right
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)