Apple Suing NYC Over Logo Design

[double A-ron]

Basically Apple is suing NYC over their GreenNYC logo saying it's trademark infringement.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/9205/bildewo6.jpg

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080403/FREE/769974920/1057/newsletter01

Now, I'm a Mac guy and I think this is really stupid on Apple's part. Somebody would have to truly be stupid on a whole new level to confuse those two logos.

[CkretAjint]

*shakes his head* I think they are in the clear and apple is just being dumb. Maybe its not JUST the logo that apple is after? Perhaps they use similar designs and type as well?? *shrugs*

[morea]

Next thing you know we're going to hear on the news that Apple's suing McDonald's to make them change their name. It just wouldn't be the same if they were called "DeliciousDonald's" or "CortlandDonald's" or "GrannySmithDonalds" though.

[Virgo Nightingale]

Are they gonna sue every educational organization that incorporates an apple into their logo? I don't think these are similar enough to warrant a 'tsk tsk' let alone an actual lawsuit.

[John G]

they should sue everyone with a "web 2.0" look logo then.

I'd root for them then.

[garricks]

It's not too much different from

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a249/garricks/GDF/img_3833_apple-vs-apple_450x360.jpg

And that was a case of the Beatles' Apple Corps suing Apple Computing.

It just wouldn't be the same if they were called "DeliciousDonald's"

And if they did that, Trump would be all over them!

When I read this in the newspaper at lunch, it reminded me of the "Little Black Dress" logo from the weekend. If Apple can sue NYC over something this disparate, the second LBDS is sunk if they use that logo!

JMHO.

Now, regarding the NYC logo, I can see a smooshy "N" or an infinity sign in the shape of that apple. Anyone else got any ideas as to a deeper meaning to the graphic?

[jimking]

Who the hell is Apple to sue because they think there's a simarlarity between those two apples. Christ, they have a lock on an apple's image? If anyone should be sued it's Apple! If I'm not mistaken they stole Apple Records name and the apple image and admitted it. :mad:

[bashall]

wta joke! is this actually true or is it made up to promote the businesses involved?? madness!

[bashall]

is this a joke?? or is it a ploy to get a the business' noticed?? madness

[vtwin_gary]

publicity.

[Silence04]

Apple Corp. licenses their logo from Apple Inc.

As of last year, Apple Inc. owns ALL the trademark rights to that apple symbol.
So if a variation of an apple symbol enters into trade, they have every right to sue and will probably win.

If i spent billions of dollars and over 10 years of on going law suits to gain rights to a trademark, i would certainly want to protect it.

[morea]

So from now on, "The Big Apple" will hereby be known as "The Big Wahooni".

THANKS, Apple. http://i18.tinypic.com/4mi820k.gif

[Red Kittie Kat]

How silly ... I hope it gets thrown out.

[DesignStudio]

I think the estate of magritte should sue apple for copyright infringement.

http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/4647/applebd3.jpg

[willy_flew]

Its foolish they should be supporting the cause. How many Ipods are in the BIG APPLE anyway? Guess thats why my kid has a Zune.

[willy_flew]

Maybe NY should counter suite based on the fact thier fruit looks more like a Cortland than a Macintosh. If this is something that becomes legal precident every orchard in NY, for that matter the US would be liable. Disgusting !!!!

[willy_flew]

Apple Corp. licenses their logo from Apple Inc.

As of last year, Apple Inc. owns ALL the trademark rights to that apple symbol.
So if a variation of an apple symbol enters into trade, they have every right to sue and will probably win.

If i spent billions of dollars and over 10 years of on going law suits to gain rights to a trademark, i would certainly want to protect it.
Exactly what is wrong with this country! I think I may trademark oxygen and sue the planet.

[DesignStudio]

It won't hold up. The precident has been set that you can't expand your trademark net that wide, especially where the "infringing" mark won't confuse or decieve customers. After years of suing any restaurant that started with "Mc" Mcdonalds has lost its last several lawsuits when a judge in London ruled that they can't just trademark the letter combination Mc. After this case Mcdonalds has lost a few other similar cases trying to prevent any restaurants from using the prefix.

It's doubtful that apple will fulfil the burden of proof that the NY logo will confuse or decieve any customers. This is as ridiculous as the case where the HTC touch phone talked of suing apple for using the word "touch" in the ipod touch. If this continues we'll eventually run out of shapes and words that we can use without paying royalties to someone. Maybe I'll trademark the letter "e" and retire on my earnings.

[willy_flew]

It won't hold up. The precident has been set that you can't expand your trademark net that wide, especially where the "infringing" mark won't confuse or decieve customers. After years of suing any restaurant that started with "Mc" Mcdonalds has lost its last several lawsuits when a judge in London ruled that they can't just trademark the letter combination Mc. After this case Mcdonalds has lost a few other similar cases trying to prevent any restaurants from using the prefix.

It's doubtful that apple will fulfil the burden of proof that the NY logo will confuse or decieve any customers. This is as ridiculous as the case where the HTC touch phone talked of suing apple for using the word "touch" in the ipod touch. If this continues we'll eventually run out of shapes and words that we can use without paying royalties to someone. Maybe I'll trademark the letter "e" and retire on my earnings.
Here here!

[Optimusdinkus]

Man wtf, and apple is a "green" Company, why hassle another one that is PROMOTING green living for fk sakes!
Just bleh, bleh all over it
This guy kind of says it all from the TED website
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/187

TELL ME how many times in design classes were these kinds of issues brought up over a creative design that you loved BUT NOOOOOO someone owns the "thought" and has it in his collection pieces ranging from amazonian figurines to collectable stamps so you feel "bad" using it. Not one damn idea will ever be original, but we play it off as such. Thoughts really need to get the vice grip called law lessened allot in my opinion. Cause honestly, they can promote both businesses, PROVIDED THEY ARE NON COMPETING of course (scuse my caps key), therefor it ain't going to be a terrible act. And there is no profit to be gained really! for designers at least.

[urstwile]

Apple hasn't gotten very high marks in the green department, actually.

[Optimusdinkus]

Really? considering they promote using emailed receipts, taking out harmful chemicals in the processing of their computers (with the exception of a few left overs that are also being thrown out soon), using recyclable parts? (I worked for them for a period of time) Granted way back in the day it was pretty bad, but hell, lets compare other companies records eh?

[urstwile]

Oh sure, not bashing them, just I wouldn't necessarily think of them as a green company. Not yet.

They have made some strides though, perhaps because they were called out on it.

[Drazan]

Actually - I find this ridiculous.

If it was another company selling electronics, then I could see a stand. But this is NYC aka the big apple - and as called such much longer than Apple inc.

I hope they throw it out.

Jade

[Riefnu]

Honestly, NYC is home to some of the biggest lawyer firms in the world. The city even has a T.V. Show just about lawyers! dun dun <.<

I wonder if I took a bite out of a macintosh apple then said "That's Hot" if apple and Paris Hilton would combine to form the flashiest pop culture beast of the century.

[ponderosatree]

The NYC logo looks really nice IMHO

[budafist]

Next, every apple filmed on tv and movies will be pixellated out.

[Menkerios]

The most impressive thing about apple is how they've managed to convince everyone that they're somehow 'different,' 'with a different corporate mission than other publicly held fortune 500 multinationals.
I think it started with that ad campaign plastering their logo on on portraits of Picasso, Ghandi and other noble and noteworthy characters who had nothing to do with their product.. got to hand it to them!

[garricks]

The tag line for that campaign was, "Think different." :D

[Menkerios]

couldn't resist :D

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h161/blackgas/apfelfahne.jpg

In all seriousness, they weren't actually suing GreeNYC, rather just blocking them from trademarking their logo. Still kinda aggro.

[dhdesignz]

Interesting you said that Optimusdinkus. Agree with urstwile - their brand perception is not that of a green one. Pitty! As they could have score even more green points. Not that I am a eco-nazi. Just like to see big corporates being a little more responsible.

Not sure about the green NYC logo? Does lack a little imagination. As we always hear "Good concept, but poorly executed". Does it truly reflect NYC's culture, and now newly green-found message? I don't think so at all.

But agree with all, Apple should not be too precious about their little 'apple'.

[Riefnu]

You know snow white took only ONE bite out of the top half of an apple...sue Disney next?


I would pay money to see that happen. "Apple sues over use of apple images in Disney movies. Doctors speculate that the entire Apple inc. company has gone 'zippidy doo dah'."