Apple Secures Rights to AirPower Trademark Amid Launch Rumors [Update]

Amid launch rumors that Apple is preparing to release the AirPower sometime soon, the Cupertino company has finally secured the rights to the ‌AirPower‌ trademark.

To get the ‌AirPower‌ trademark, Apple had to jump through quite a few hoops over the course of the last few months, ultimately seeming to purchase access from a company that had previously applied for the trademark.

airpower iphone xs image
Apple first attempted to trademark the ‌AirPower‌ name in the summer of 2018, but found that a company named Advanced Access Technologies had filed an earlier application to trademark the term.

The ‌AirPower‌ trademark registered by Advanced Access Technologies was then provisionally granted and published for opposition in December 2018. Ahead of when a trademark is officially granted, the USPTO takes opposition filings from anyone who believes the trademark could result in confusion with an existing product.

Apple opposed Advanced Access Technologies' trademark of ‌AirPower‌ in January 2019, claiming that it would interfere with similar trademarked Apple product names, including AirPlay, AirPort, AirPods, and AirPrint.

After fighting to prevent the ‌AirPower‌ trademark from being granted to Advanced Access Technologies for several months with multiple different filings with the USPTO, Apple yesterday suddenly withdrew its opposition and the dispute was terminated.

appleoppositionwithdrawal
Just after Apple withdrew opposition on Advanced Access Technologies' trademark of the ‌AirPower‌ name, an Apple lawyer was appointed the attorney of the trademark case, suggesting that Apple purchased rights to the ‌AirPower‌ trademark from Advanced Access Technologies ahead of an imminent ‌AirPower‌ launch that would not give Apple time to secure the trademark through other means.

Advanced Access Technologies is still listed as the owner of the trademark, but Apple appears to be in the process of getting that changed, with Apple lawyer Thomas Perle now named as the attorney on the trademark application.

airpowerattorneychange
Apple's acquisition of the ‌AirPower‌ trademark comes amid new rumors suggesting a launch for the long-delayed accessory isn't too far off. There's new code in the iOS 12.2 beta related to charging multiple devices at once, which wasn't there before, indicating Apple may be planning to release the ‌AirPower‌ sometime around when iOS 12.2 comes out.

The Wall Street Journal recently confirmed that Apple approved production of the ‌AirPower‌ earlier this year, and just today, we found an image of the ‌AirPower‌ with an iPhone XS and the new AirPods Wireless Charging Case hidden in the source code on Apple's website in Australia.

It's still not clear when the ‌AirPower‌ is actually going to launch, but with increasing signs of its arrival, it could come at any time. Apple this week released new iPads, iMacs, and updated AirPods on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, leading to speculation the company was gearing up to introduce the ‌AirPower‌, but there's still no sign of the device.

We could potentially hear word on when we can expect the ‌AirPower‌ at Apple's March event, which will take place next Monday. Apple is using the event to introduce a new Apple News service and streaming TV service. Rumors have, however, suggested the event will not focus on hardware, so we could be waiting until later in the spring for an ‌AirPower‌ update.

Update: According to a new document filed with the USPTO on March 22, [PDF], the ‌AirPower‌ trademark has indeed been transferred to Apple.

Top Rated Comments

GuruZac Avatar
65 months ago
Glad they are finally getting it out. Let’s hope it isn’t priced out of the market. Although, there is no other charging pad that will do what it does for iOS ecosystem devices.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
badatusernames Avatar
65 months ago
So much drama over this product.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Doctor Q Avatar
65 months ago
Apple opposed Advanced Access Technologies' trademark of AirPower in January 2019, claiming that it would interfere with similar trademarked Apple product names, including AirPlay, AirPort, AirPods, and AirPrint.
A pretty specious claim, in my opinion. Does Apple think that every name starting "AirP" rightfully belongs to them for this reason, even if another company already has the legal rights?

Advanced Access Technologies could use the same argument to claim that Apple shouldn't have the AirPlay, AirPort, AirPods, and AirPrint trademarks because they would interfere with its "AirPower" name.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
johnyslats Avatar
65 months ago
So Apple announces in September 2017 but doesn't apply for the trademark until Summer 2018? Forgive my ignorance but is this standard practice?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
martyjmclean Avatar
65 months ago
I’m still disappointed it’s not called Apple Juice. :(
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
65 months ago
AirPower probably uses Lightning connector.

I'll wait for AirPower Pro with USB-C connector. ;)
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Camera Lozenge 2 Perspective Gray

Five Key Upgrades Coming to iPhone 16

Friday March 15, 2024 1:45 pm PDT by
The iPhone is Apple's top-selling product, and it gets an update every year. In 2024, we're expecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, with an arguably more interesting feature set than we got with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Capture Button All four iPhone 16 models are set to get a whole new button, which will be...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Expected to Depreciate Heavily

Tuesday March 12, 2024 9:04 am PDT by
Resale value trends suggest the iPhone SE 4 may not hold its value as well as Apple's flagship models, according to SellCell. According to the report, Apple's iPhone SE models have historically depreciated much more rapidly than the company's more premium offerings. The third-generation iPhone SE, which launched in March 2022, experienced a significant drop in resale value, losing 42.6%...
apple wallet drivers license feature

Apple Said iPhone Driver's Licenses Would Expand to These 8 U.S. States… Two Years Ago

Thursday March 14, 2024 7:33 am PDT by
In just four U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports, businesses, and venues. Adoption of the feature has been slow since Apple first announced it in September 2021, with IDs in the Wallet app only available in Arizona,...
airpods 3 orange

Two New AirPods 4 Models Expected to Launch in September or October

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:56 am PDT by
Apple suppliers will begin production of two new fourth-generation AirPods models in May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this production timeframe, he expects the headphones to be released in September or October. Gurman expects both fourth-generation AirPods models to feature a new design with better fit, improved sound quality, and an updated charging case with a USB-C...
OLED iPad Air

iPad Air Next on Apple's OLED Tablet Roadmap Following iPad Pro

Friday March 15, 2024 3:30 am PDT by
The iPad Air will be the next Apple tablet to adopt OLED display panel technology following its upcoming OLED iPad Pro models, according to an updated forecast from research firm Omdia (via The Elec). "In 2028, we expect the iPad Air to go OLED as well, with the iPad Air using single-stack and the iPad Pro using two-stack tandem OLEDs," said Omdia researcher Kang Min-soo, speaking on...
When To Expect New iPads Feature 1

Apple to Announce New iPads on March 26, Rumors Claim

Monday March 18, 2024 4:02 am PDT by
Apple is widely expected to release new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models in the next few weeks. According to new rumors coming out of Asia, the company will announce its new iPads on Tuesday, March 26. Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo this morning 日发布%23">claimed that the date will see some sort of announcement from Apple related to new iPads, but stopped short of calling it an...
Walmart MacBook Air M1

Walmart Begins Selling MacBook Air With M1 Chip for $699 in U.S.

Friday March 15, 2024 6:57 am PDT by
Walmart today announced that it has started selling the MacBook Air with the M1 chip in the U.S., with pricing set at a very reasonable $699. The laptop can be ordered now on Walmart.com, and it will be available soon at select Walmart stores. This is the first time that customers can purchase a Mac that is sold directly by Walmart, the company said in a press release. Some other retailers...