Intel Does Own the Thunderbolt Trademark, Not Apple - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Intel Does Own the Thunderbolt Trademark, Not Apple

thunderbolt

Bright Side of the News offers some clarification on the Thunderbolt trademark question brought up yesterday. While Apple did do some of the early trademark filings, Apple will be transferring those trademarks to Intel:

"As part of our collaboration with Apple, they did some of the initial trademark filings. Intel has full rights to the Thunderbolt trademark now and into the future. The Thunderbolt name will be used going forward on all platforms, irrespective of operating system."

Apple had originally applied for the Thunderbolt trademark in Canada and the U.S. generating some questions about the ownership of the trademark, and the ability for 3rd parties to use the term.

Popular Stories

iphone 18 pro blue%402x

iPhone 18 Pro: Dark Cherry, Light Blue, and Dark Gray Chassis Leaked [Update]

Thursday June 4, 2026 5:18 am PDT by
Update: Since publication, new information has come to light suggesting the images have been AI-manipulated and are not in fact iPhone 18 Pro chassis parts. The original article follows. The color options Apple is reportedly planning for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max have appeared online today in the form of images of chassis parts of unknown authenticity....
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple Says CarPlay Ultra is Coming to These Vehicle Brands

Thursday May 21, 2026 11:53 am PDT by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly a year later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. CarPlay Ultra...
iOS 27 All the New App Features

iOS 27: All the Rumored App Features

Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:48 pm PDT by
Siri is getting a major overhaul in iOS 27, but Apple also has some big updates planned for apps like Camera, Photos, and Wallet. There are multiple new AI features in the works, plus some non-AI upgrades. Camera Apple is moving Visual Intelligence from the Camera Control button to the Camera app in iOS 27, according to Bloomberg. There will be a Siri mode that will be available alongside...

Top Rated Comments

OllyW Avatar
196 months ago
good news for both companies, now get others on board to support this instead of USB3
Intel is pushing Thunderbolt and USB 3, next year's Ivy Bridge chipset will support both.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-20053639-64.html
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
franswa za Avatar
196 months ago
good news for both companies, now get others on board to support this instead of USB3
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ghostlyorb Avatar
196 months ago
As soon as more computers get ThunderBolt... the more accessories you'll see! =)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ciTiger Avatar
196 months ago
I hope this means all brands will bring TB in the same connector and not get fragmented... :D
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MattJessop Avatar
196 months ago
Hopefully this means they'll be using the MDP connector going forward. I've never been a huge fan of the USB design because it'll just end up being confusing for consumers who think its the same as USB.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
196 months ago
The problem is one shouldn't have to look and then possibly having to turn the thing.

Please explain why you think this doesn't happen with the MDP connector. Without looking, you may have to try the MDP connector at four different angles before you get it right
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)