Apple vs. New York over logo design
updated 02:25 pm EDT, Thu April 3, 2008
Apple vs. New York
Apple is claiming that a new logo for New York City's GreeNYC campaign is too similar to its own. According to Wired, the GreeNYC logo shows a stylized apple with a stalk and a leaf that bears a resemblance to Apple's famous logo. When the city applied for a trademark on the logo, Apple filed a formal opposition, claiming that a trademark grant on the logo would "seriously injure the reputation which [Apple] has established for its goods and services." The city of New York stated, in response: "The city believes that Apple's claims have no merit and that no consumer is likely to be confused. This well-known city is using its new design in a variety of contexts that have absolutely nothing to do with Apple Inc."
The next step in this battle will be an independent survey to determine whether or not consumers are confused by the logo.
Apple recently filed for a new trademark with the European Trademark Office, simply entitled Thinnovation. Apple has been using the term in slogans ever since it revealed the MacBook Air on January 15th, inserting it primarily into web and print advertising. These uses are the focus of the International Classifications in the trademark filing; the trademark would also apply to installation and maintenance, as well as educational and training purposes.
NYC's logo looks....
04/03, 02:41pm reply
like a butt.....a green butt with a twig/leaves coming out the top, but a butt nonetheless....
Don't worry Apple!
Beechlady
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Joined: Oct 2006
come on
04/03, 02:51pm reply
That doesn't look like Apple's symbol. If you're going to go to that extreme, anything that looks like an apple can never be used again on non-Apple co. items.
simdude
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Joined: Jun 2004
Less Lawyers, More Apples
04/03, 02:56pm reply
Next week Apple, Inc. is planning a major law suit against all apple orchards in the US. Apparently they are growing apples that may confuse consumers and “seriously injure the reputation which [Apple’s Lawers] has established for its goods and services. Apperently they have been also infringing on the “Macintosh” name for years.
Apple, fire half your lawyers and get back to making stuff we might want to by with the savings.
Darylal
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Joined: Apr 2008
no no no...
04/03, 03:03pm reply
ignorant people...
If you do not take any and all steps to protect your trademark, you dilute it. This is the only reason they do this. They expect to lose, but it's important that if someone in the future uses a design much closer to the official Apple logo, that they are not able to show that Apple didn't object to NYC using their logo so they should be allowed to also.
MyRightEye
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Joined: Apr 2008
Idle lawyers
04/03, 03:11pm reply
Idle lawyers trying to justify their jobs. This is silly, no one will start thinking the city of New York makes the iPod. No one will think Apple Computer is responsible for potholes on 42nd street.
ClevelandAdv
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Joined: Jul 2004
silly indeed
04/03, 03:26pm reply
C'mon Apple. Please don't act like this.
climacs
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Joined: Sep 2001
It looks bad, but...
04/03, 03:38pm reply
myrighteye, I think you're right. Letting this slide would set a bad precedent for possible future cases. Unfortunately, to those less familiar with trademark law, it looks like Apple throwing its weight around.
Uncommon
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Joined: Feb 2000
lawyers
04/03, 03:41pm reply
> Idle lawyers trying to justify their jobs. This is silly, no one will start thinking the city of New York makes the iPod. No one will think Apple Computer is responsible for potholes on 42nd street.
I would have thought that Apple's lawyers would be filing such a complaint on instruction. I think it less likely that the lawyers have acted on their own initiative without permission.
de Villiers
deVilliers
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Joined: Feb 2007
no no no???
04/03, 03:47pm reply
ignorant people = MyRightEye
Apple takes thousands of steps to "protect" it's trademark. This is just one of the stupid ones. In fact if they loose the case, they weaken there trademark because there is now another precedent set making it easier for someone to win another suit that apple might try.
Another example of Apple causing injury to there own reputation via keeping lawyers busy.
Darylal
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Joined: Apr 2008
jeez
04/03, 03:50pm reply
be proud ! It's the Big Apple paying tribute...
tortenteufel
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