Seoul, August 7 -- According to foreign media reports, as consumer technology companies are increasingly viewing wearable devices as the key focus for future business development, South Korea's Samsung Electronics has already applied to register trademarks for its smartwatch in both South Korea and the United States.
In the filing submitted to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on July 29, Samsung stated that it applied to register Galaxy Gear as the trademark for one of its wearable digital electronic products in the U.S. market. This trademark applies to watch-style, wristband, and bracelet-type wearable devices. A month earlier, Samsung had already applied to register the Samsung Gear trademark in South Korea.
In these two trademark registration applications, Samsung did not display the appearance of the products applicable to the registered trademarks. However, judging from a design patent drawing approved by Samsung in May this year, the depicted watch-like appearance features a bendable screen.
According to the description in the registration documents, the smartwatch to be named Galaxy Gear will be a wearable smart device styled like a wristband or bracelet. It supports internet connectivity, making and receiving calls, sending and receiving messages and emails, and can also store or transmit data and track/manage personal information.
Apple filed an application to register the iWatch trademark in Japan on June 3 this year. Industry observers have long speculated that Apple is developing a smartwatch product based on the iOS operating system. Although Apple has not confirmed the authenticity of the rumors, CEO Tim Cook once hinted that the company might be developing a wearable computing device.
Google is also testing its own smart glasses product, Google Glass. Google Glass has a small screen installed above the right lens to display information and images obtained from the internet.
The Korean Patent Office stated that Samsung's application for the Gear trademark cannot be approved within the year. Due to the large number of trademark applications waiting for approval, the Korean Patent Office can only initiate the relevant approval process 7 to 8 months after receiving the application. Samsung applied to register the Gear trademark in South Korea on June 21.
It remains unclear whether Samsung will use Samsung Gear as the registered trademark for its smartwatch. The registered trademark covers 38 possible products, including mobile phones, bracelets, glasses, and software interfaces for monitoring human vital signs.
Samsung stated in the patent documents that the product is made of metal, synthetic materials, and glass.