And in 2010, Apple secured the iPad trademark in the United States from Japanese electronics maker Fujitsu which had registered the name in the U.S. in 2003.

CNN: Apple loses right to iPhone name in...

Other partners on the device include British telecom company Vodaphone and Japanese consumer electronics-maker Sharp.

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It also ended its liquid-crystal display venture with rival Samsung, while inking a new capital alliance with Japanese electronics and camera maker Olympus Corp. to strengthen its medical equipment business.

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This week, Samsung Electronics also bought a 5% stake in Japanese stylus maker Wacom Co.

WSJ: Korea Is Primed for M&A Deals

Sharp Corp. boss Mikio Katayama got much international pickup on his remarks Friday about the dear valuation of the Japanese yen and how that affects exports of companies like his LCD-screen electronics maker.

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