Google Glass vs. Glassup David vs. Goliath?

Source: Giulio Coraggio¸ GamingTechLAW

The future of Google Glass might also depend on the outcome of a trademark battle with an Italian startup that devised a product named Glassup.

In June 2012¸ Google had filed with the European trademark office applications for the registration of the words “Glass” and “Google Glass” in the category 9 relating to¸ among others¸ computer hardware¸ computer peripherals and wearable computer peripherals. The application had not been filed in class 25 relating to clothing¸ footgear and headgear since as it would have been certainly rejected because of the descriptive nature of the word. However¸ if Google’s application was going to be successful in relation to the word “Glass”¸ they would have potentially gained an exclusivity right on all technologies applied to glasses which according to commentators would have been questionable.

But¸ in October 2012 an Italian startup named Glassup submitted an application before the Italian trademark office for the registration the word “Glassup” in the same class 9 referred above and in class 28 relating to toys. Indeed¸ such Italian company has manufactured a type of glasses allowing users to read incoming emails¸ text messages¸ tweets and Facebook updates. The product appears to be different from Google Glass¸ but the company might take advantage of being located in the country of fashion which includes also eyewear fashion companies such as Luxottica owning brands like Ray-Ban and Persol.

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