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Jobs: Forced name change 'not that big of a deal'

updated 01:00 pm EST, Thu November 19, 2009

Criticizes dev for responding to legal threat


Apple CEO Steve Jobs has chastised a Mac developer in response to a letter regarding a name change, reports say. The CEO of Little App Factory, John Devor, says he was recently served a notice by Apple lawfirm Baker & McKenzie, asking him to change the name of iPodRip, a program used to transfer content from an iPod or iPhone back to a Mac. Devor decided to plead his case with Jobs directly, writing an elaborate e-mail message.

The message notes that iPodRip has been available since 2003, and expresses concern that people looking to find a renamed version may instead find a competitor, which could also potentially be a scam. Devor also claims that as far back as 2004, Apple support and store staff have frequently recommended iPodRip.

In reply Jobs is said to have a sent terse one-line e-mail from his iPhone, saying only "Change your apps name. Not that big of a deal." Not wanting a legal battle, Devor decided to change the name of the software to iRip, and also remove the iPod icon from another program called Evom. The situation is similar to that of Rogue Amoeba, which was recently forced to remove product icons from Airfoil Speakers Touch.

Jobs' criticism may be hypocritical given naming conflicts Apple has experienced in the past. The company was originally expected to be unable to use term "iPhone" in the US, as an identically-named product by Linksys beat Apple to market. Only a mutual arrangement between the two businesses allowed Apple to legally continue its branding.


by MacNN Staff

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 industry, developer, Steve Jobs, Apple

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  1. MyRightEye

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Apr 2008

    -3
    11/19, 01:31pm | report spam | (1 reply) Reply |

    iTools

    iBook. iPhone. and the list goes on. and on. All names Apple gave to products that had already been used and legally protected.

  1. kdogg73

    Dedicated MacNNer

    Joined: Dec 2002

    +14
    11/19, 01:40pm | report spam | Reply |

    Play Your Cards Right

    John Devor and his iRip got some cheap publicity.

  1. designr

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Apr 2002

    +1
    11/19, 01:44pm | report spam | Reply |

    Not to mention APPLE

    as in APPLE CORPS

  1. ScottG

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2005

    -7
    11/19, 01:54pm | report spam | (1 reply) Reply |

    How About iLiver

    iLiver iTransplant

  1. Gazoobee

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Feb 2009

    +5
    11/19, 01:55pm | report spam | Reply |

    @ iTools

    You are wrong about "iBook" which is *now* used by someone else, *after* Apple has stopped using it (for the time being).

    That leaves your "list" with "iPhone" which was mentioned in the article and makes it not really a "list" at all.

  1. TheSnarkmeister

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jun 2007

    0
    11/19, 02:07pm | report spam | Reply |

    Interesting comment on the original site...

    " "What's the big deal about a name change?" It seems like Apple Corp could have asked Steve Jobs that same question 30 years ago, when the shoe was on the other foot. Funny how the Brits were a bit more descent in their handling of such matters than Jobs has been. So much for "pass it on" from the supposedly "oh so liberal" Mr. Jobs. "

  1. danviento

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Dec 2005

    +2
    11/19, 02:09pm | report spam | (1 reply) Reply |

    Brits not-so-decent

    You forget the Beetles' label and the iTMS and their ongoing stare down the results in no Beetles tracks being sold via iTunes.

  1. slider

    Mac Elite

    Joined: Oct 1999

    +3
    11/19, 02:16pm | report spam | Reply |

    Money

    Well, I see Apple's side and John's side. Apple did come up with the "i" when it introduced the iMac touting the internet, and then the iPod - iSuppose to capitalize on the "i". But everybody then started coming out with "i" something. Even eMachine tried to copy the name iMac as it intro'd it's copy of the iMac - the eOne. Of course you can't copyright placing an "i" in front of a word, that's just iCrazy. But not all consumers are savvy and know the difference between what is and what is not an Apple product.

    In John's case, iPodRip is not an Apple product and just because it contains the name iPod he shouldn't have to change it just because Apple is concerned about product confusion. And sadly, I'm sure if John's company was equal to Apple's, he would probably defend his product instead of being bullied by the big guy - but things being as they are, it probably makes more business sense to change the name and move on.

    And yes, Apple is hypocritical - the iPhone was not Apple's (though could the iPhone really be called anything else), but at the same time, there's that whole "i" thing again. Here's a case where Cisco could have caused a lot of problems for Apple if it wanted too, and had the cash to do it.

  1. climacs

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Sep 2001

    +4
    11/19, 02:47pm | report spam | Reply |

    not hypocritical

    what does 'hypocritical' have to do with it? Apple is on solid legal ground. Whatever issues there may have been with Linksys, they were worked out, obviously. So what other naming conflicts are we talking about, then? Just this one example? WEAK.

    Any company's reaction would be, 'if you think you have a good case... we'll see you in court. Otherwise, cease and desist.'

    I think Jobs was doing the guy a favor by replying directly, and yes he got some free publicity out of it.

  1. climacs

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Sep 2001

    +14
    11/19, 02:49pm | report spam | (1 reply) Reply |

    @slider

    try selling a product called, "Coca-Cola Helper" and see how quickly you get a strongly-worded letter from Coke's legal department.

    You can NOT use another company's brand name in your product name. Duh.

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