Apple, New York City In Legal Dispute Over Logo 254
Lemmy Caution writes "Apple, Inc. has filed a suit to prevent New York City's non-profit 'GreeNYC' initiative from using a logo that incorporates an apple in its design. Commentators have noted the substantial differences between the two designs, not to mention the irony of this sort of infringement claim. The city of New York has filed to have the claim rejected, and even possibly the cancellation of Apple's logo in light of the long history of the nickname 'The Big Apple' to describe the city."
I REALLY hope Apple wins... (Score:5, Insightful)
There's no one better suited to start rolling back absurd property rights than a city full of pissed off politicians.
Re:I REALLY hope Apple wins... (Score:5, Insightful)
The two logo's don't look anything like each other. NYC's is missing the giant bite for starters.
C'mon, Apple! (Score:4, Insightful)
Argumentation (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:What graphics artists have said... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:In Other News (Score:3, Insightful)
Apple: Hey you fuckpig lawyers, why do we pay you so much
Fuckpigs: Because we sue people and make you money
Apple: So fuck off and sue someone then
Fuckpigs: Who?
Apple: Do we look like we really give a shit?
Fuckpigs: Ok, how about a city that's been calling itself an apple since before computers were invented or a 12 year old?
Apple: Somebody will think of the children, sue the city.
Re:Apple may actually have a case (Score:5, Insightful)
If you were to remove the Apple logo, I wouldn't even see the resemblence (because there isn't one). I hope Apple gets crushed in court.
Re:Apple may actually have a case (Score:4, Insightful)
The very example that is supposed to prove it shows it isn't true.
Re:Apple may actually have a case (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Apple may actually have a case (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Apple may actually have a case (Score:5, Insightful)
* the right hand bottom/mid side where the infinity symbol bulges out
* the right hand top side the infinity logo again is on the inside of the apple logo
* the left hand side the curve infinity symbol is on the -inside- of the apple logo
* the bottom bumps of the infinity curve have a lesser curvature
Sorry, but that guys reasoning of similarities is about as useful as saying "If you squint, then this Ford car looks clearly like this Chevy, see, it even has 4 wheels!".
Re:WTF is wrong with slashdot? (Score:1, Insightful)
Since when does the Slashdot-crowd support websites designing for specific browsers instead of writing standard-compliant code that is compatible with any sane browser? That it renders OK in Firefox is a lame excuse; the same excuse is used by people who write crap that only barely renders in Internet Explorer, and then it is rejected fervently (and rightfully so). Can we have a little consistency here?
Re:I REALLY hope Apple wins... (Score:3, Insightful)
So *that's* where the whole "Apple is teh gay" thing got started ...
The treatment of Turing is a shame - he arguably saved more lives than anyone else in WW2.
Think DUMB (Score:2, Insightful)
Firstly, who the hell is going to mistake the GreeNYC logo to represent Apple, or vice versa? Apple has no more claim to the use of apples in commercial logos than Apple Records does, who pre-existed Apple Inc by over a decade (the label for The Beatles).
Ironically, Apple Records has filed numerous trademark/copyright infringment suits against Apple Inc, and as a result Apple Inc stayed out of the music industry entirely, even long after Macintosh became the prevalent computer platform used in recording studios in the early 90's. Obviously that's no longer the case, since Apple introduced iTunes in 2001, and numerous infringement suits ensued.
I imagine Apple Inc is just trying to head off any possible interference by any logo ressembling an apple, and is bullying GreeNYC into a strict trademark agreement. Apple Inc learned their lesson when they spent millions in legal fees to gain the position they have in the music industry today. But somehow I doubt Apple has to worry about GreeNYC making computers!
The suit is very inconsistent with Apple's public image, especially to attack a non-profit environmental organization in today's political climate (pardon the pun). And they sure could have picked a smaller consumer base to pick on! How many computer owners do you figure are in the NYC metro area?! 50 million?
Re:I REALLY hope Apple wins... (Score:3, Insightful)
I agree, the Betchley park guys kept the Atlantic open, and their US franchise shortend the Pacific war using the same techniques. The Manhattan project 'got all the attention' because it signaled the end of WW2 and the start of the cold war. Turing's woefull treament by the authorities means he will eventually take his place as the 20th century's version of Gallelieo.
To the original submitter of this article -- (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:I REALLY hope Apple wins... (Score:3, Insightful)
Yes, I can. If a company uses a common English word and an image of a real, natural object, it does not have the right to prevent anyone else using that. And they must know that going in. If you make up a word, like "Microsoft" and a unique logo, you can be a hardass. If you choose an word that is a part of the language and an image that you can find in a million works of art, than you're an idiot and a jerk if you think you can control everyone's use of this word and logo. And fortunately, in this case, the city of NY has lawyers to make its case, I would expect a judge to dismiss Apple's claim very quickly. The problem comes when the megacorporation's mere threats of litigation force everyone else to give up for fear of ruinous litigation (as Microsoft has done with its similar unconscionable appropriation of the word "Windows").
Anyone with an ounce of common sense can see this logo is quite distinct from Apple's, it is nothing to do with their line of business and could do no harm to it.
Re:I REALLY hope Apple wins... (Score:3, Insightful)
No, I'm sorry. This action merits all the ridicule it is receiving.
Re:I REALLY hope Apple wins... (Score:2, Insightful)
What I would most expect is the solution Engadget proposed -- a settlement. Apple announces some low-power, carbon-neutral, eco-buzzword of the day compliant version of the iPod or the Mini or something, and co-advertise it with NYC in some eco-friendly computing campaign.
I very much doubt this will end up being decided by the trademark office; I very much think Apple will 'let' them use their trademark (deserved or not) in exchange for an Apple-funded cross promotion of some sort. NYC would be stupid not to take the added advertisement that an Apple ad campaign would give them, and Apple gains very much among their key demographic by being associated with a group working to provide green _____.