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Apple cracking down on Internet 'iPod-tailers'

updated 05:55 pm EDT, Tue September 20, 2005

Apple, internet vendors


Apple has demanded that several Internet accessory vendors stop using the "iPod" moniker in company names or URLs. The company has sent out legal notices to everythingiPod.co.uk and iPodlife.co.uk in an effort to gain more control over the iPod trademark and prevent is dilution, according to a . Apple apparently demanded that IPodlife not use any signs similar to Apple trademarks, such as iPodArmor or PodShield. Apple is also demanding that all mention of its products comply with some complex naming conventions, according to Patrick Taylor, IPodlife director. "We have been informed that we must use the correct nouns and adjectives when describing Apple's branded mobile digital device, calling it an 'Apple iPod Device,'" according to Taylor.


by MacNN Staff

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  1. jrbm689

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2005

    0
    09/20, 07:03pm | report spam | Reply |

    I can see the eBayads now

    "L@@K Iriver 40GB HDD LIKE APPLE Ipod DEVICE L@@K!!!"

  1. theBlend

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Dec 2004

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    09/20, 07:06pm | report spam | Reply |

    Name change?

    Perhaps Apple should change its name to 'Anal'. Logo could be an a** with a bite in it.

  1. ValkRaider

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

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    09/20, 07:23pm | report spam | Reply |

    Before all the id10Ts

    Apple is REQUIRED to enforce it's trademarks, or risk losing them. EVERY company that has registered trademarks in the USA is REQUIRED to enforce them, otherwise they can lose the trademarks.

    Stop bagging on Apple or any company for doing this - especially when it comes to companies that are making products to sell using Apple trademarks.

    On the other hand, this *is* crappy when it happens to a *fan* site. Companies should be willing to extend free licenses for fan sites to use trademarks in non-profit use..... Or something like that.

    But a fan site is completely different than a business selling a product. Sure, they all are helping the iPod - but Apple has a legal requirement.

    The easy fix is for people making products to not use Apple owned names.... Although I think Apple complaining about "Pod" might be overstepping it's reach...

  1. bleee

    Mac Enthusiast

    Joined: Mar 2002

    0
    09/20, 08:13pm | report spam | Reply |

    RE: Before all the id10Ts

    You don't find it at all convenient that Apple has just started doing this instead of starting oh say 3 years ago when the iPod first arrived and was the new kid on the block?

  1. ultrasource

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jul 2005

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    09/20, 08:20pm | report spam | Reply |

    RE: ^^^^^

    Convenient? 3 years ago it just didn't matter.

  1. Gabriel Morales

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    09/20, 08:41pm | report spam | Reply | delete

    It doesn't work like tha

    People have a right to write about the iPod in any way they want, whatever they call it, and it seems to me that people also have a right to start up fan sites with the word "iPod" somewhere there. Imagine if Apple wanted to have MacNN change its name or stop publishing because it has "Mac" in the name. Apple even helped start MacWorld... yet, I don't believe it licenses the Mac name.

    Also, "Pod" with an "i" in front of it is as generic a name, if not moreso, than "Macintosh" or "Mac".

  1. umijin

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jun 2004

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    09/20, 09:09pm | report spam | Reply |

    Enforce this...

    C'mon! They wouldn't have all this success if it wasn't for the fanboys and maniac accessories makers. I can understand having product manufacturers avoid the iPod moniker, but WEBSITES that are fan appreciate efforts? That is way too much.

    L-A-M-E

  1. Feathers

    Grizzled Veteran

    Joined: Oct 1999

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    09/20, 09:26pm | report spam | Reply |

    No they effing don't!

    "People have a right to write about the iPod in any way they want, whatever they call it"

    Er...excuse me, no they don't. There are laws that govern such things as slander and libel etc. The idea that people have the "right" to say what they like is hogwash. I don't believe the international declaration on human rights includes "free speech" although it does advocate freedom from oppression.

    By way of demonstration...lets see now...so I can say anything I like about Gabriel Morales...or does this right and freedom only apply against Apple? Hmmm tempting...what can I say? Oh...so much to choose from! Casts aspersions on their gender? The marital status of their parents? Nope...can't do any of it BECAUSE we do NOT have the right to say and write "in any way" we want!

    Red Pill, blue pill, welcome to the real world!

  1. MichaelNH

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jul 2002

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    09/21, 01:22am | report spam | Reply |

    Apple made them....

    the third party companies didn't make the ipod what it is today.... other way around! You don't think Apple could have put their foot down and made allll the accessories for the ipod.... and banished anyone from making anything? It's good business sense to let other people make much of the accessories... and look around you.... look at some of the accessories that have the "ipod" name used to promote them, but will work with ANY device..... people are pumping out white stereo cables and putting ipod all over the packaging.... it's not an ipod cable, it's a stereo cable.... exploiting a kick a&& product to make money in your own pocket... at least be something that truly works with the ipod, not a generic cable that you were making a different color a few months ago.....

  1. climacs

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Sep 2001

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    09/21, 01:58am | report spam | Reply |

    here we go again *sigh*

    a bunch of non-attorneys flaming each other about copyright and trademark law, mistaking their opinions and the way they'd like things to be, for a sound legal opinion. One of the oldest and most unproductive, complete and utter wastes of bandwidth ever, right next to debates over abortion and evolution.

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