Apple filed a trade mark application for the term "STARTUP" in Australia. The application was filed on Aug 27, 2013 by Apple through a Sydney-based lawyer for the company, Baker & McKenzie.

According to a report from TM WATCH, Apple's application on a trademark is at still at the very early status of "Filing-Approved. This means that the whole trademark application was yet to be reviewed by an IP examiner.

Once approved, Apple will have all the rights to the word "STARTUP" over retail, computing, mobile and other tutorial softwares.

The "STARTUP" trade mark will specifically cover:

  • Class 35: Retail store services, including retail store services featuring computers, computer software, computer peripherals, mobile phones, and consumer electronic devices, and demonstration of products relating thereto
  • Class 37: Maintenance, installation and repair of computer hardware, computer peripherals and consumer electronic devices; consulting services in the field of maintenance of computer hardware, computer peripherals, and consumer electronic devices
  • Class 41: Educational services, including conducting classes, workshops, conferences and seminars in the field of computers, computer software, computer peripherals, mobile phones, and consumer electronic devices and computer-related services; providing information in the field of education
  • Class 42: Design and development of computer hardware and software; technical support services, namely, troubleshooting of computer hardware and software problems; installation, maintenance and updating of computer software; technological consultancy services in the field of computers, computer software and consumer electronics; computer diagnostic services; computer data recovery

According to an article from Apple Insider, even when approved, the Apple trademark does not entirely owned the term "STARTUP". All other businesses outside the limits of the above classes are not to be owned by Apple.

Apple had reportedly filed for similar trademarks in Australia back in 2011 but it was never approved with the company receiving initial trademark pending a consultation period.

Apple had also filed for the same trademark acquisition across U.S. but reports said that many U.S. companies disagreed to the application and Apple was given only up until Sept 20 to answer to those companies that refused the filings.

According to the Web site Wired, if Apple was granted approval in Australia, repercussions can possibly happen in the global level.

Wired said that Australia is a signee of the Madrid system under the authorization of the World Intellectual Property Organisation. Under the said authorization, trademarks assigned within one signee country takes effect in the entire signee countries.