Apple Threatens Bistro Over "AppleADay" Name 301
itwbennett writes "In today's edition of David v. Goliath, Apple lawyers have sent cease and desist letters to a tiny health food restaurant in Luxembourg named AppleADay. For their part, the owners of AppleADay, with help from a lawerly friend, have promised that they would continue to sell only food, not computers. Of course, Apple knows as well as anyone that promises are made to be broken, having famously promised Apple Corps, the Beatles' production company, they would never get into the music business."
They have to (Score:5, Informative)
First, this story is months old and dates back to late August. Second, contrary to the headline, they're not threatening over the "AppleADay" name but the logo [macgeneration.com].
Third, as is pointed out every time an incident like this occurs, trademark owners have to take no chances and must enforce perceived violations or risk losing their right to it. There is always the risk that a court somewhere in the world might cite the lack of action in some particular case. But, since it's a "David v. Goliath" article, as the summary put it, it's an excellent story to submit to Slashdot and rile up the natives.
Re:Why are they such assholes? (Score:5, Informative)
Trademark lawyer, not patent lawyer.
Re:Why are they such assholes? (Score:4, Informative)
They're not "assholes." They have to exert effort in defending their trademark or risk losing it.
This is not true in this context. They only have to defend it where relevant. Going after a tiny health food restaurant is not, unless Apple have plans to enter into that market.
Re:They have to (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Why are they such assholes? (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Why are they such assholes? (Score:4, Informative)
Windows® wasn't revoked. And they only feared that because "Windows" was a common word in the domain. "Apple" in the computing domain isn't.
Besides, Apple was already sued because of their trademark [wikipedia.org].
Re:Why are they such assholes? (Score:2, Informative)
Trademarks also have areas of applicability. I seriously doubt Apple's trademarks are applicable to groceries or produce.