Apple might not be calling its forthcoming device the iPad, but it is acting to stop anyone else using the name.

Fujitsu some months ago launched what it calls an "iPad", aimed at retail environments, prompting Apple to appeal to the US Patent & Trademark office for an extension to the time during which it's allowed to appeal the ownership.

The Jesus Tablet blog (yes, already) has details of Apple's appeals for extended time to oppose the trademark in the US.

In most of the rest of the world Apple already owns "iPad", but then Cupertino owns iSlate too so don't draw too much from that.

This could just be Apple protecting everything starting with the letter "i", or perhaps Cupertino noticed that "Slating the iSlate" is just too tempting a headline and decided that the "iPad" would sound better.

We won't find out until next week, which leaves plenty of time for more rumours and speculation. ®