Intel Does Own the Thunderbolt Trademark, Not Apple - MacRumors
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Intel Does Own the Thunderbolt Trademark, Not Apple

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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.

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Top Rated Comments

OllyW Avatar
200 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
200 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
200 months ago
As soon as more computers get ThunderBolt... the more accessories you'll see! =)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ciTiger Avatar
200 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
200 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)
200 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)