Fujitsu, a leading maker of electronics, has decided to allow Apple to use the iPad trademark.  Fujitsu has been selling its iPad handheld computers in retail outlets for many years now around the world. Fujitsu’s device is not aimed at consumers, unlike Apple iPad tablet, but iPad may suit managers at retail stores, thus directly competing against Fujitsu’s handheld computers.  Nevertheless, there are two other companies, Siemens and STMicroelectronics, with registered trademarks that can end up fighting Apple for use of their iPad trademark.

Negotiating over trademarks or trademark litigation is not a foreign concept to Apple.  Back in 2007 Apple had to negotiate with Cisco Systems over iPhone trademarks since Cisco used it for its own Internet telephony-based product. The companies eventually came to an undisclosed agreement.

iPad will be available for a suggested retail price of $499 to $699 depending on its hardware capacity.