Patently Apple reports that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has officially granted Apple a registered trademark for the sound that its Mac computers make after booting up.

The original chiming sound was created by Apple programmer Jim Reekes, who designed many of the system sounds for the Mac OS, including that iconic startup chime roughly 20 years ago. Apple has used several different variations on the chime over the years, including a shift in pitch to the current tone Apple notes as having been in use since early 1999.

startupchime
On the trademark application, which was filed in June of this year, Apple states that the chime is "a sound mark consisting of a slightly flat (by approximately 30 cents) G flat/F sharp major chord."

Apple uses the sound to signal that the diagnostic tests run at the startup of a Mac computer have found no hardware or software problems.

Other Apple trademarks include slogans like "There’s an app for that" and "Think Different," and product labels like "Retina," "Time Capsule," and "Smart Cover."

Top Rated Comments

dreamyguy Avatar
164 months ago
The same sound was used in a Pixar movie, WALL-E, when he recharged to 100%. :)
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GoCubsGo Avatar
164 months ago
And yet I'm still searching for a way to stop my Mac from making that annoying sound on start up.

I admit, it is still better than the windows startup sound.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pgiguere1 Avatar
164 months ago
And yet I'm still searching for a way to stop my Mac from making that annoying sound on start up.

Mute it before shutting it down.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RoelJuun Avatar
164 months ago
And yet I'm still searching for a way to stop my Mac from making that annoying sound on start up.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
inkswamp Avatar
164 months ago
Hint: big smiley face generally means the user is joking.

I forgot that sometimes the humor-impairment on this site can create confusion, so below is an annotated version of my post to help out.

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
milo Avatar
164 months ago
Trademarked sounds aren't just limited to musical ones, MGM has the lion roar (obviously only possible to be trademarked within the limited scope of movie logos), certain sirens, etc. Harley davidson tried to trademark the sound of their motorcycle engine, but gave up after a few years debating it in the courts.

Not sure if trolling or ignorant

Hint: big smiley face generally means the user is joking.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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