IP Democracy: What to Make of Apple's "Vingle" Trademark Filings?

The Washington Post’s Frank Ahrens wonders if three recent trademark filings by Apple Computer reflect a Steve Jobs goal of “domination of the web.”

In the 10/7 filings, which Ahrens says were first reported by AppleInsider (which provides more details on all three), Apple asked for a trademark on something it calls “Vingle.” Ahrens provides the following excerpt from one of the filings:

Vingle will or could comprise: “Telecommunication services, namely, electronic transmission of streamed and downloadable audio and video files via computer and other communications networks; providing on-line chat rooms, bulletin boards and community forums for the transmission of messages among computer users concerning entertainment, music, concerts, videos, radio, television, film, news, sports, games and cultural events; web casting services; delivery of messages by electronic transmission; provision of connectivity services and access to electronic communications networks, for transmission or reception of audio, video or multimedia content…” and so on, including search engines and a global network.

Ahrens adds that the other two filings “say Vingle could include not only hardware (new computers and peripherals) but also a chain of retail stores.”

Ahrens speculates that the filings may be an indication of Apple plans to launch “an uber-portal that combines the search functions of Google and the content scope of AOL’s ‘walled garden,’ the television networks and the music labels. Or maybe “‘Vingle’ is just a placeholder.”

Apple may never try any of the things it lists in its filings but reserves the right to do so under the Vingle name. Speculation is that the name is a contraction of “video” and “single,” which would coincide with the new video iPod. The filings have an “everything we can think of” feel to them, along the lines of Hollywood contracts that ensure studio rights for distributing movies here or anywhere in the known universe. (True.)

Ahrens closes with a comment on Apple’s strategy and the monetization of communities built around “attractive gadgets” and web-based services:

The Web is all about community, say those who make a living on it, and Apple has used its attractive gadgets to swell the feverish Cult of Mac from a few computer-owners (about 5 percent of the PC market) to millions of iPodsters, and every one of them is on the Web. If Jobs can monetize that, we may be well be on our way to iEarth.

Posted by Mitch Shapiro on October 16, 2005 2:54 PM to IP Democracy