Apple Wants It Both Ways With iPad3.com Domain Name

You know we all wanted to call it the iPad 3. It would make a lot of sense, given that they named the previous model the iPad 2.

But no, Apple decided to call the latest iteration of their magical tablet device “The New iPad.” Ok, fine, Apple, have it your way.

But then they filed a case with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) saying that they should own the domain name www.ipad3.com.

What?

The domain name was registered in January of 2010. It’s currently owned by Global Access, a company that’s had to give up previously owned domain names due to complaints by AllState, AOL, and MasterCard.

This looks to be a company that does this on purpose, in a process called cybersquatting. iPad3.com is reported to be parked but is currently unavailable to access at the time of writing. Interestingly, there are a ton of iPad domain names registered, but not to Apple. For example, whoever owns iPad4.com has it pointed to an iPad Jokes site. iPad.com itself isn’t owned by Apple either, but it looks like a legitimate site.

Regardless of who owns these domains, should Apple be able to push them out of their domain addresses? I’d have to say no, especially if they stop using the number designation for their next iPad model as well. This may be a gray area for IP law and trademark protection, but I can’t see anyone being confused by iPad25.com, can you?

• Source Domain Name Wire
• Via Forbes

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