MacRumors uncovered a trademark revision filing dated April 25, from Beats Electronics, expanding the protected use of its iBeats trademark.
Formerly assigned only to the in-ear Beats headphones product, the application for expanded protection covers uses that seem clearly aimed at potentially rebranding Beats Music, in whole or part. An excerpt of the new proposed trademark definition:
“Audio and audiovisual broadcasting and transmission of data and of information via electronic communication networks, local and global computer networks and wireless communication networks; streaming of audio and audiovisual content via electronic communication networks, local and global computer networks and wireless communication networks; webcasting services […]”
Although leaked information about the Apple/Beats acquisition had not broken at the time of the trademark application, negotiations were likely in the works. In conjecture, it seems unlikely that Beats would contemplate assigning the iBeats mark to its Beats Music streaming service, when unaffiliated with Apple and its suite of iBrand music services (iTunes Music Store, iTunes Radio, iPod).
Many observers have wondered whether Beats Music will continue operating as a separately branded, stand-alone music service, or integrate with existing Apple brand identities. If Beats Music becomes iBeats, that would chart a middle path.