Ichiro Kameda's sound-activated vibrating beat generator is designed to put a smile on a woman's face, but Apple Computer isn't exactly grinning over the product's name: gPod. Mainichi Daily News reports the problem started when Mr. Kameda's company applied for a trademark on the gPod name. Apple objected, stating that the gPod name was too close to iPod.

The "g" in gPod is a play on the Japanese word for masturbation, jii. Appropriate, since the product is designed to take audio from iPods and cell phones and send vibrations to where ever a lady deems appropriate.

Apple has been contacting Mr. Kameda with requests that he stop using the gPod name. One letter reads, in part, "The product planned for use with the trademark 'gPod' is a sex aid and masturbation aid. If this product comes onto the market, you will be forced to take all sorts of legal measures to deal with it. We would like to avoid a fight over this and would be prepared to cover any costs you have incurred."

In other words, Apple will pay Mr. Kameda to change his product name.

The battle with Apple has kept Mr. Kameda from releasing his product world wide, even though Japan's Patent Agency gave him the okay last year. He plans to go ahead and bring his product to market in Japan by the end of the month.

Keeping with its standard policy, Apple is not commenting on the case.