Apple is attempting to trademark the word "startup", lodging its application for the term on Tuesday.
TMWatch first spotted the application, noting that it was lodged by Apple's Californian headquarters and Sydney-based Baker & McKenzie law firm.
TMWatch believes that the application is only in its early stages of filing, and has not yet been seen by an intellectual property examiner.
According to a screenshot taken by the site, the trade mark would apply to goods and services related to:
Class 35: Retail store services, including retail store services featuring computers, computer software, computer peripherals, mobile phones, and consumer electronic devices, and demonstration of products relating thereto
Class 37: Maintenance, installation, and repair of computer hardware, computer peripherals, and consumer electronic devices; consulting services in the field of maintenance of computer hardware, computer peripherals, and consumer electronic devices
Class 41: Educational services, including conducting classes, workshops, conferences, and seminars in the field of computers, computer software, computer peripherals, mobile phones, and consumer electronic devices and computer-related services; providing information in the field of education
Class 42: Design and development of computer hardware and software; technical support services, namely, troubleshooting of computer hardware and software problems; installation, maintenance and updating of computer software; technological consultancy services in the field of computers, computer software, and consumer electronics; computer diagnostic services; computer data recovery.