http://www.macnn.com/articles/10/09/01/name.originally.tied.to.golf.equipment/
Apple's Ping network linked to trademark agreement
updated 04:40 pm EDT, Wed September 1, 2010
Name originally tied to golf equipment
Apple's new Ping social network -- introduced alongside iTunes 10 -- required a special trademark agreement to make happen, a press statement reveals. Karsten Manufacturing notes that it technically owns the Ping name for one of its sub-brands, which produces golf equipment. Apple should only be able to use the Ping name in conjunction with the social network.
The service lets iTunes users post status updates, follow friends and artists and check out tour dates. It is also designed to encourage impulse buying, supported through buttons embedded in posts. Beyond iTunes 10, it should soon be possible to access Ping from an iOS device.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Technically,
Apple should be able to use it, without a trademark agreement, for anything other than sports equipment.
Ping is used in reference to sonar, as well as network node detection (there are applications specifically called using the word "ping".)