Someone in South Korea appears to be trying to take advantage of Samsungâs blockchain efforts by nabbing the âSamsung Coinâ trademark.
According to filings with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), an application to register the trademark in both English and Korean was submitted on July 10 by an individual called Kim Nam-jin.
The filing was made under categories related to computer programs, such as âdownloadable electronic money computer program,â âelectronic money card,â âelectronic encryption device,â and âIC card with electronic money function.â
However, when contacted, a Samsung representative told CoinDesk that the tech giant was not behind the application.
âWe donât work this way,â they said.
While the trademark application does not specifically state whether itâs related to blockchain or cryptocurrency, the filing follows CoinDeskâs previous report that Samsung is developing its own blockchain using ethereum tech, and may eventually issue its own cryptocurrency, possibly called âSamsung Coin.â
In a possible clue as to their motivation for the filing, the same individual has previously tried to lodge trademarks relating to cryptocurrency work by other major technology companies.
The KIPO database shows that Kim Nam-jin also filed an application on July 10 seeking to trademark âThinQ Wallet.â
However, on July 2, LG Electronics, also based in South Korea, filed trademark applications both in South Korea and in the U.S. for âThinQ Wallet.â
Based on the LG application details, the wallet would provide a variety of mobile services including âsoftware platform for blockchainâ and âmobile electronic wallet for cryptocurrency.â
The âSamsung Coinâ filing was initially covered by a few news sources that incorrectly indicated Samsung is applying for the trademark.
CoinDesk Koreaâs Shinjae Yoo assisted with reporting.
Seungjai Min, blockchain research team lead at Samsung SDS, via CoinDesk archives