Apple transfers Thunderbolt trademark to Intel

Intel is credited as being the brains behind the new Thunderbolt I/O technology, but Apple is the one who holds the original trademark for the name. According to recent reports, this may change as Apple is reportedly transferring ownership of this trademark to Intel.

Intel originally created the I/O technology using optical cabling and marketed it under the name Light Peak. Apple approached Intel about Light Peak, and the two companies began collaborating on the project. Over the course of a few years, Apple pushed Intel to drop the optical connection and replace it with copper, which permits the transmission of electricity as well as data. The name was also changed.

The technology was unveiled earlier this year and made its market debut in Apple's current line of MacBook Pro notebooks and iMac all-in-one computers. Apple may be an early adopter and have unrestricted usage of Thunderbolt, but this technology is open to any third-party company that wants to license it and use this I/O port in its devices.