Although Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), began to register the name as a trademark iWatch in several countries around the world, in the most important markets it might be necessary to buy or license already registered brands. In the USA and Great Britain the name iWatch was registered as a trademark several years ago, and for Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), this could be a big, big problem. If you are wondering what kind of products the name was registered for, well I will tell you that in Great Britain a company based in Italy registered the name for an application that transmits audio/video content and location information using data communication technologies.
In the USA, the name belongs to a company that at one point tried to develop a SmartWatch and asked for funding through indiegogo, but unfortunately failed to convince users that their product deserves attention. Both companies have held the brand patents for a few years, both will certainly take Apple to court if an iWatch from Cupertino is launched on the market without their consent, and the problem is big for Europe, because the British patent applies to the whole continent.
Although it seems unlikely to choose another name for Apple's smartwatch, the company can license or buy the patents for considerable sums of money.
