If it wasn't enough that we have to watch Apple and Samsung in a knock-down, drag-out patent battle over smartphones, it looks like the two companies are both making devices that serve as wearable smartphones.

According to a June 3 filing at the Japan Patent Office, which was just made public last week, Apple Inc. is currently seeking trademark protection for the name “iWatch,” Bloomberg reports. The tech giant has about 100 product designers developing an iPhone/iPad-like device that you can wear on your wrist. And Samsung Electronics Co., ever Apple's rival, is also developing a wristwatch. So that probably won't cause any conflict.

Of course, Sony Corp. is leading out of the gates on this one, as it has been selling its SmartWatch for more than a year already. The SmartWatch uses Google Inc.'s Android operating system to wirelessly connect to smartphones, letting the wearer take calls, send texts and reply to emails.

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