Lawsuit comes to a close after four years.
Apple isn't shy about handing out lawsuits, indeed Samsung and Google's Android are often on the receiving end of them.
However, Apple challenged UK mobile web developer Wapple in 2007, claiming the UK-based firm was trading off of its brand and name.
Wapple founders Rich Holdsworth and Anne Thomas based the company name on the tech acronym WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) back in 2003, which was four years before Apple entered the mobile space with the iPhone.
The UK Intellectual Property Office has now ruled in favour of Wapple keeping its trademark.
Anne Thomas, COO, Wapple, said: "We are overjoyed with the result and incredibly proud. The case is a victory for truth over tactics. Self-belief is always critical when establishing and growing any technology business and even more so when you are early to market as we were. The action taken by Apple Inc. to oppose our trade mark has tested our resolve and we are delighted with this outcome."
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Wapple's publishing platform has secured clients including Microsoft, Google, and MTV, and it seems that none of the firm's customers have found any form of connection to Apple.
Thomas continued: "We are so incredibly grateful for the support we have had from a number of shareholders and customers who stepped forward as witnesses and also deeply indebted to Jill Tomasin from Gateley who has demonstrated a commitment to and passion towards our company like none I have seen from any external legal representative previously.
"We also have in our thoughts Nick James, a former non-executive director and our legal counsel who died in May 2011. He was very much committed to this case and would be celebrating this victory with us today."
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Fantastic news for the Rich and Anne... Congratulations on a well deserved win!
Ashley Christie Feb 22nd 2012 at 4:19PM
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