Japan's Fujitsu demands that they made first 'iPad'

TOKYO — It’s sleek. It’s mobile. It has a touchscreen.

It’s Fujitsu’s iPad from 2002.

Sold mainly in the United States, the multifunctional device from the Tokyo technology company helps shop clerks verify prices, check real-time inventory data and close sales on the go.

Fujitsu, which applied for an iPad trademark in 2003, is claiming first dibs, setting up a fight with Apple over the name of the new tablet device that Apple plans to sell starting in March.

“It’s our understanding that the name is ours,” Masahiro Yamane, director of Fujitsu’s public relations division, said Thursday. He said Fujitsu was aware of Apple’s plans to sell the iPad tablet and that the company was consulting lawyers over next steps.

Fujitsu’s iPad, which runs on Microsoft’s CE.NET operating system, has a 3.5-inch color touchscreen, an Intel processor and Wi-fi and Bluetooth connections; it also supports VoIP telephone calls over the Internet, a technology also used by Skype.

“Mobile is a keyword for Fujitsu’s iPad, too,” Mr. Yamane said. “With the iPad, workers don’t have to keep running back to a computer. They have everything right at their fingertips.”

Apple may have an edge on pricing, however: the iPads from Fujitsu can sell for more than $2,000, compared with $499 for an entry-model iPad from Apple.

Fujitsu's application to trademark the iPad name stalled because of an earlier filing by Magtek, an information technology security company based in Seal Beach, California, for a handheld number-encrypting device.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office listed Fujitsu’s application as abandoned in early 2009, but the company revived its application in June.

The following month, Apple used a proxy to apply for an international trademark for the iPad. It has since filed a string of requests with the U.S. Patent Office for more time to oppose Fujitsu’s application. Apple has until Feb. 28 to say whether it will oppose Fujitsu’s claims to the iPad name.

While the dispute between Fujitsu and Apple centers on the United States, there are other iPads around the world. The German conglomerate Siemens uses the name for engines and motors, while a Canadian lingerie company, Coconut Grove Pads, has the right to market iPad padded bras.

Apple faced a similar spat three years ago with Cisco Systems over the iPhone name. The two companies eventually negotiated a settlement.

India v Pakistan: ICC World Twenty20 warm-up result with scores

Rohit and Gambhir script emphatic win


Finally India and Pakistan played out a one-sided Twenty20 game. Filling in for Virender Sehwag as opener, Rohit Sharma continued to give India a combination dilemma and made the chase seem like an afternoon walk in a London park. A target of 159, with extra bowlers available by the virtue of this being a 13-a-side game, was by no means an easy one, but Gautam Gambhir and Rohit managed with the ease that belies the tension an India-Pakistan match brings.Rohit was in the mood for some fun, hitting Ajmal inside-out and pulling Afridi over midwicket. When he got out for a 53-ball 80, India needed only 19 runs in four overs.

Praveen Kumar and Shehzad set the agenda early. Praveen followed two bouncers with an outswinger to clean up Shahzaib Hasan. Akmal then crashed the first ball after the wicket through the covers for four. In the next over, Shehzad hit RP Singh for three boundaries, an over during which he was also dropped by Harbhajan Singh at short midwicket.

Dhoni quickly called on the raw pace of Ishant Sharma and the effect was immediate. First Suresh Raina ran out Akmal through superb work at cover, and Shehzad top-edged a pull in the same over. The panic set in when a promoted Shahid Afridi went boom first ball he faced from Irfan and managed just an outside edge to Dhoni - 45 for 1 had become 45 for 4.

Shoaib Malik counterattacked, but fell soon. Either side of Malik's dismissal, no boundary was hit for 42 balls until Misbah made room and lofted Ojha to wide long-on in the 13th over. By the time Younis fell for a run-a-ball 32, the two had been added 50 in 45 balls. Arafat and Misbah provided the final impetus, scoring 29 in the last two overs, but it proved to be way below-par on the night.

Scorecard:
Pakistan 158 for 6 (Misbah 37*(30), Younis 32(32),Arafat-25*(16) Ishant 1-11(4))
India 159 for 1 (Rohit 80(53), Gambhir 52*(47),Aamer-18/1(3))
India won by 9 wickets (with 18 balls remaining)

ICC World Twenty20: England Vs West Indies Practice Match Result & score

Wright and Bopara crush West Indies

	Ravi Bopara showed his flair during a 35-ball 60 as England raced to victory

England have comfortably had the better of West Indies throughout their early-season exchanges and the theme continued at Lord's. They raced to a nine-wicket win with 32 balls remaining on the back of an electric opening stand of 119 between Luke Wright and Ravi Bopara. Wright finished with 75 from 38 deliveries.England hit their stride with the bowlers and fielders also doing their jobs to hold West Indies to 144

Scorecard:
West Indies-144/6(20/20)
Sarwan-46*(34), Marshal-35(33), Rashid-1/20(4)
England-145/1(14.4/20)
Bopara-60(35), L. Wright- 75*(48),Chandarpaul-1/17(2)

England won by 9 wickets (with 32 balls remaining)

Australia Vs New Zealand: T20 World Cup Practice Match scores

New Zealand 147 (19.5/20 ov)

McGlashan- 49 (35), Styris- 42(28), Jhonson- 4-20(4),Hauritz- 2-35(4)

Australia 151/3 (19.2/20 ov)

Ponting- 56(40), Clarke-49*(35), Franklin- 2-27(4),Vettori- 1-28(4)

Australia won by 7 wickets (with 4 balls remaining)

England Vs Scotland : T20 World Cup Practice Match

Scotland 136/5 (20/20 ov)

Smith-45(32), Coatzer- 34(34), Hamilton- 20(20), Collingwood-2-18(3)

England 141/4 (19.0/20 ov)

Pieterson- 53*(39), Bopara- 32(29), Collingwood-23*(17). RA Haq- 2-19(4)

England won by 6 wickets (with 6 balls remaining)

79 players shun ICL to join BCCI

The BCCI today granted amnesty to 79 players and 11 former cricketers, as they decided to cut-off their ties with the rebel board, the Indian Cricket League.

The decision was immensely motivated by the time-bound amnesty that the BCCI had offered to all these players.

"By snapping ties with ICL, the cricketers immediately became eligible for domestic cricket and would also be considered for international matches once they complete their one year cooling off period," the BCCI said.

"The BCCI, after scrutinising their requests has written to the concerned state associations that these players are eligible to play in the domestic tournaments for this year", Board secretary N Srinivasan said.

Reetinder Sodhi, Rohan Gavasakar, Hemang Badani, Deep Dasgupta were some former International players who decided to cut-off their ties.

Erapalli Prasanna, Ajit Wadekar, Sandeep Patil, Balwinder Singh Sandhu and Madan Lal, who were assigned as coach to different teams have also decided to join hands with the mainstream league.

"We still have 40-50 players, out of the original 140-odd, on our roster and as and when the need arises we would recruit fresh talent. The League is on. We are not closing down. The next season is in October-November and it's still early days", an ICL official said.

Tendulakar thinks INDIA carries the ability to retain T20 World Cup title

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday emphasized that the Indian squad has all the qualities to retain the Twenty20 cricket World Cup due to commence from Friday in England.

Commenting on India's performance at the Twenty-20 level, he said that the Indian team looks absolutely balanced.

"I think we have an explosive batting line up and a good bowling attack. On the whole, you can see the team is quite nicely balanced. I don't see any reasons why we cannot live up to the expectations," Tendulkar said.

Further, he exuded confidence of India defending the title won in 2007.

"Obviously in cricket no one can guarantee you what's going to happen as the game is full of uncertainties. But going by our strength and the balance, we stand a very good chance and I have confidence in our team," he added.