The United States Patent and Trademark Office says the term cannot be trademarked because it is simply a way of describing how users interact with their products.
Reads the decision (via MR):
Thus, from the foregoing, we find that 'multi-touch' not only identifies the technology, but also describes how a user of the goods operates the device. Based on the evidence discussed above, as well as other evidence in the record, we agree with the examining attorney that Multi-Touch indeed is highly descriptive of a feature of the identified goods.
Continuing on, the filing says that Apple's "evidence" was really just showing off how they marketed the iPhone:
Thus, applicant's evidence pertaining to the success, sales volumes and, to a limited extent, advertising expenditures of the iPhone, is not helpful in establishing that the purchasing public associates the term Multi-Touch with applicant.
Apple initially applied in 2007 along the launch of the original iPhone.
Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 28 Sep 2011 1:46
