• This forum is for posting news stories or links from rumor sites. When you start a thread, please include a link to the site you're referencing.

    THIS IS NOT A FORUM TO ASK "WHAT IF?" TYPE QUESTIONS.

    THIS IS NOT A FORUM FOR ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO USE YOUR MAC OR SOFTWARE.

    This is a NEWS and RUMORS forum as the name implies. If your thread is neither of those things, then please find the appropriate forum to ask your question.

    If you don't have a link to a news story, do not post the thread here.

    If you don't follow these rules, then your post may be deleted.

Why is Apple Trademarking Thunderbolt?

iWhat

,
Joined
Nov 11, 2004
Messages
5,736
Reaction score
164
Points
63
Location
Toledo, Ohio
Your Mac's Specs
Macbook, iMac G5, iPad, iPhone 4, iPod (MANY)!

chscag

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
65,248
Reaction score
1,833
Points
113
Location
Keller, Texas
Your Mac's Specs
2017 27" iMac, 10.5" iPad Pro, iPhone 8, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 Mini, Numerous iPods, Monterey
I'm not sure I understand either since Thunderbolt is really an Intel invention which I'm sure they own the patent for.
 
Joined
Apr 20, 2009
Messages
4,301
Reaction score
124
Points
63
Location
The lonely planet
Your Mac's Specs
Too many...
interesting....
 

cwa107


Retired Staff
Joined
Dec 20, 2006
Messages
27,042
Reaction score
812
Points
113
Location
Lake Mary, Florida
Your Mac's Specs
14" MacBook Pro M1 Pro, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD
I'm not sure I understand either since Thunderbolt is really an Intel invention which I'm sure they own the patent for.

Well, let's think on this - the name 'Thunderbolt' really wasn't used to describe the technology until Apple released the latest MBP. Up until then, it was referred to exclusively as "Light Peak". Light Peak was supposed to be an optical interface, but this first release is all copper - it uses the same protocol and has the same 10Gb bandwidth. So, my guess is that this first iteration is going to be Apple exclusive and they want to own the patent on the copper-based iteration, while later versions will use the more generic Light Peak label.

Just a guess....
 
OP
the8thark
Joined
Jan 27, 2007
Messages
5,658
Reaction score
159
Points
63
Location
*Brisvegas*
Your Mac's Specs
17 inch 2 GHz C2D imac (5,1) with 3GB DDR2 RAM, X1600 (128MB memory) GPU - OSX 10.6.3
So, my guess is that this first iteration is going to be Apple exclusive and they want to own the patent on the copper-based iteration, while later versions will use the more generic Light Peak label.
Want to own the patent or own the trademark? I thought this was to own the TB trademark.
 

cwa107


Retired Staff
Joined
Dec 20, 2006
Messages
27,042
Reaction score
812
Points
113
Location
Lake Mary, Florida
Your Mac's Specs
14" MacBook Pro M1 Pro, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD

Shop Amazon


Shop for your Apple, Mac, iPhone and other computer products on Amazon.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
Top