Apple is taking the.........pear!?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Not sure if serious:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53740820



Apple thinks people will confuse the two.

[Jonj1611]

Apparently the pear is supposed allude to the letter "P", can't see it myself. But even so it doesn't look like an apple!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Apparently the pear is supposed allude to the letter "P", can't see it myself. But even so it doesn't look like an apple!

It doesn't and patent offices worldwide didn't see it too!

"Mr Monson said he initially thought it was a misunderstanding and the two sides would be able to resolve the dispute amicably. The logo has been approved in other countries, including the UK, without dispute and American patent officials hadn't found a problem, he noted.

It might be an example of a SLAPP suit,ie,where a wealthier party uses frivalous lawsuits to bankrupt another party through legal fees:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN8b...ature=youtu.be

I suspect Aureal Semiconductor vs Creative Labs was one of them.

Its really worrying times,when small businesses can be screwed over by these larger entitities over things like this.

[Galant]

Not sure if serious:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53740820



Apple thinks people will confuse the two.

I wonder how much someone gets paid to scour patent submissions for "minimalistic designs" and then raise objections? That's apparently someone's job.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I wonder how much someone gets paid to scour patent submissions for "minimalistic designs" and then raise objections? That's apparently someone's job.

Its a pathetic abuse of power,when Apple has over $200 billion in the bank,and is trying to screwover some small business just trying to survive over some nonsensical reason. At this rate they will be sueing German Strudel makers!

[Ttaskmaster]

YAY, I really hope Apple win.
The Raspberry Pi Foundation will be next, followed by anyone else using fruit in their logo... and then anyone else associated with fruit and trees, which means Apple take on Amazon.... and I shall finally get my dystopian cyberpunk world dominated by corporate warfare!!

But seriously, I hope Apple get kicked in the corporate nads over this.
Disgusting behaviour from them....

[Galant]

Do we need to change the name of the fruit?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

They already did...its a pear!!

[Galant]

I mean, clearly Apple own 'Apple'. Are we all infringing on their naming rights? Are we going to see William Tell and Granny Smith team up and take down the evil empire?

[spacein_vader]

Apple are certainly acting like a bunch of Cox.

[Galant]

If they release some super-sized desktop might McDonald's be in trouble?

[jimbouk]

Signed the partition, can't see it making any difference. I doubt the bad publicity will make any difference to Apple either

[Duckboy79]

I mean, clearly Apple own 'Apple'. Are we all infringing on their naming rights? Are we going to see William Tell and Granny Smith team up and take down the evil empire?

There is over 7,500 varieties of apples, they should all team up!

[ik9000]

what about the Beatles' Apple label? That had an apple logo long before. I'd be using my defence based on that. Funnily enough Apple's defence in that was that Apple computer was in a separate industry (usually enough for trademark matters IIRC). It was only when itunes launched that the real legal cack started flying. So unless Apple are in the same industry...

in short FO apple and get your lawyers back in their box.

[Saracen999]

Just to be fussy .... this isn't about patents. It can't be. Patents only apply to inventions, things that can be made.

Copyright? Maybe. Infringing a registered trademark? More likely.

I can get where Apple are coming from, in general principle.

For example, some years ago, a company (IIRC) called Horrods used the same green/gold colouring, and font, as Harrods who, needless to say, weren't best pleased.

And there are two quite genuine reasons for concern. First is some tiny little outfit trying to ride a successful company's reputation to their own benefit. It's .... deceitful. Second, the potential for the 'imposter' to damage the main company's reputation.

Both do happen.

But while I support the principle Apple are using, this example of it's application strikes me as, first,downright ludicrous. There is, in my view, no conceivable way to mistake that Pear for Apple. Second, it's pure legal bullying. There is, however, nothing new in that. It's probably the biggest drawback to many legal systems, both UK, US and most of everywhere else, that it can be very expensive to fight court cases. This is partly why mods here have always sought to immediately remove potentially libellous comments in posts. I lost count of how many times I had to deal with that, then try to explain the logic behind it.

And third, this seems almost malicious. I can't for the life of me see what Apple hope to gain. I mean, there's a line and Apple have to draw it somewhere, but to pick this case seems patently ('xcuse pun) ludicrous to me.

[Saracen999]

Apple are certainly acting like a bunch of Cox.

Now that is a Good one. A really, really good one. It might just be the heat and my mood but that really made me laugh. 10/10 for that, space_in.