Apple has acquired the rights to the iPad trademark from Fujitsu earlier this month. The settlement came on March 17, only a few foot steps away from the the inital launch of the device, April 3.
The story began when Fujistu filed for ownership for the iPad trademark in 2003 for their handheld device featuring a 3.5 inch touchscreen. The trade mark then fell into “abandoned” status in April 2009. Then in September 2009 the United States Patent Trading Office published a review to re-open the trademark.
Source:Â patenauthority (via Akihabaranews)