The United States Patent and Ttrademark Office (USPTO) has denied Apple Inc.’s trademark for the iPad Mini, the tablet device with a seven-inch screen which the company launch last October.
“The wording merely describes the features of applicant’s goods, namely a small sized handheld tablet computer,” the USPTO examining attorney said in a rejection letter to Apple in January that was only made public last week.
The word “mini” is just a name for “goods that are produced and sold in miniature form,” according to the USPTO.
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Apple still has until July 24 to respond to the ruling and present its counter-argument or provide additional evidence to show why it should be granted a registered trademark for the iPad Mini.
Apple has used the word mini previously with the Mac Mini, a small desktop computer which shipped without a monitor or keyboard.
Apple began selling the iPad Mini last November at prices starting at $329. Apple filed for the trademark in November 15.
