Apple faces trademark claims

Fujitsu has come forward claiming ownership of the iPad brand after Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled its iPad PC tablet last week, reports eWeek.

Released in 2002, Fujitsu's iPad is a voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) mobile device using a Windows operating system with WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. Fujitsu says it will consider legal action against the PC giant.

Fujitsu is not the only company staking claim to the iPad brand name; European chipmaker ST Microelectronics holds an iPad trademark for its semiconductor technology and security technology company Magtek offers an iPad handheld point-of-sale terminal.

Apple is now permitting mobile applications to make VOIP calls over 3G wireless networks, states Apple Insider.

This is a major change from Apple's previous agreement with AT&T which only allowed VOIP communications over a WiFi connection.

In October last year, AT&T revealed that it would open up its 3G network to VOIP applications on the iPhone.

The Thailand Department of Special Investigation has rolled out a campaign to fight VOIP fraud schemes, says Bangkok Post.

It was found that fraudsters have set up fake call centres in Vietnam and Taiwan using a VOIP system to call mobile users and tricking their victims into transferring money to them.

Internet service providers and mobile phone operators have been asked to save call logs to trace the calls made via the VOIP system. There were 2 612 victims in 2008, and the number jumped to 5 088 last year.