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Apple Sues Over Logo -- Again
Does this Australian supermarket logo look too similar to Apple's? You decide!
Written by Terri Stone on October 6, 2009
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In 2007 and 2008, Apple sued New York City because the hardware and software manufacturer thought the GreeNYC logo veered too close to the Apple logo:
Now Apple is at it again, saying that the Australian Woolworths Supermarkets' redesigned logo is a little too close to Cupertino's territory:
Do you think Apple's right? Are either of these logos an infringement, assuming that GreeNYC or Woolworths Supermarkets did step into Apple's hardware or software arenas? Click on Comments below to answer.
Share:
Apple logo
Don't think these 2 infringe. Give me a break. Can't anyone use an apple?
Apple logo
If a person can't differentiate between those logos, there's something wrong.
New York is the "Big Apple" after all.
Apple Logo
No way.
apple logo
rediculous.
apple logo
apple’s becoming way too paranoid....
Apple Sues Over Logo
I think the Woolworth's logo is just fine and does not look too much like the Apple logo. Clearly the shape is different and the "W' creating the apple shape is very different. This is a waste of Apple's time and they should let it go.
apple logo
Neither logo is anything near to the Apple logo.
Certainly the Woolworth's one is definitely a W
I love Apple - but they are being paranoid over the logo
Apple is at it again
Full marks for vigerously defending a valuable copyright, but if you follow this to its conclusion, any representatrion of that fruit with a leaf, would be an infringement. I don't think either of these, especially the Woolworth's mark is a violation.
Not on a bet
What Apple Computer is saying is "the fruit is ours!" and any attempt to use an apple in any logo for anybody will result in a trademark infringement suit. Bah! Instead, rigorously defend your trademark by continuing to make phenomenal product available for reasonable cost: pay your lawyers less and your engineers more.
Fight it
Since the Supermarket is in a completely different industry than Apple, it ask the courts to dismiss the case. That is, of course, unless the Australian trademark laws are completely different from the US ones.
In fact, I think that New York City should sue Apple since NYC obviously, and through documentation (via endless TV ads), has had the "Big Apple" slogan longer than Apple has been around.
Rotten Apple
Rotten, bad Apple I say ... they want to take a bite out of every apple. No way!
Toss that lawsuit out the window and send the worm to Cupertino!
Apple needs to focus on their own industry
As a designer, when the client says "I want an apple for my logo", the first thing that would pop into my head is Apple Computers. However, your client wants an apple logo...so you ask yourself, how do you make it different? You may start with some very different ideas, present them to the client and they either love them, hate them or want to change and develop them...add a leaf and a stem, make it monochromatic...they may be asking that you redesign your logo to look like Apple's logo whether they realize it or not...So then you ask: Why not use three apples, instead of one? or use another kind of fruit? Which begs the question: Does Apple have a TM on the single apple image? My personal opinion: I think these are different enough. I would not get them confused with Apple Computers...especially if I were out buying groceries.
Apple needs to focus on their own industry
As a designer, when the client says "I want an apple for my logo", the first thing that would pop into my head is Apple Computers. However, your client wants an apple logo...so you ask yourself, how do you make it different? You may start with some very different ideas, present them to the client and they either love them, hate them or want to change and develop them...add a leaf and a stem, make it monochromatic...they may be asking that you redesign your logo to look like Apple's logo whether they realize it or not...So then you ask: Why not use three apples, instead of one? or use another kind of fruit? Which begs the question: Does Apple have a TM on the single apple image? My personal opinion: I think these are different enough. I would not get them confused with Apple Computers...especially if I were out buying groceries.
Jennifer Sanders
Creative
I say no
No one's really going to mistake either of these for the Apple logo. Apple can't control every expression of a very common object.
Are they serious?
Well, instead of chasing down variations of logos that look like apples, maybe they should be focusing on what really matters.....like getting Snow Leopard rock solid. They basically broke the ColorSync architecture for a lot of software developers and this is causing no end of annoyance for those of us in the graphics community...on supposedly the premier graphics platform.
Apple logo infringement?
If either of these logos is an infringement, if merely using ANY representation of an apple infringes Apple's trademark, then how is Apple able to use an apple as a logo at all—The Beatles' Apple Corps having existed first?
Spoiled Apple
I say to Apple--let it go. Compare apples to apples and trust that your consumers are smart enough to continue their brand loyalty message for you. Stick to making great, innovative electronic devices and fire the lawyers already.
www.rubberbrandman.com
woolworths and apple
Apples have been around a lot longer than Apple Computer. As a normal human being, I have no difficulty in picking the difference between the Apple and Woolworths logos. I think Apple is being just a bit precious.
Ray from Australia (mac owner and woolworths shopper)
Waste of Shareholders money
If I was an Apple shareholder I'd be very concerned how the companies dollars were being spent on pursuing a clearly frivolous lawsuit against Woolworths and NYC. I'm an
Australian and it has never occurred to me that the Woolworths logo is anything like the Apple one. A total waste of time and dare I say very IBM-like....
apple logo
NO
Do Apple think they should own everything that resembles an apple?
Give me a break!
apple
Yes, shure John S - The Beatles were the very first. The Apple Records should sued Apple Computers. And the W of Woolworth maybe looks like apple, but it is still W.
Brane
apple logo
Nope. They can't claim that every apple (fruit) logo is an infringement.Reminds me of McDonalds thinking they own everything Mc.
Frutier
It would be interesting to see what Apple would do if a New York frutier who sells nothing but fruit stuck a logo of an apple above their front door. Surely nobody would walk into the fruit shop and ask the frutier for a demonstration of an 8 core mac pro? Apple need to keep things in perspective! Oh, by the way, I think neither of these featured logos are a trademark infringement.
no
no
honestly don't we have
honestly don't we have bigger problems in the world? Apple should just trademark apples, you know the fruit, then they can wipe out anyone that tries to use anything remotely apple like.
Apple logo
Oh, for goodness' sake. I agree with the poster who was concerned what the shareholders would think of this frivolity. Apple doesn't own all apples. Neither representation of an apple confuses the marketplace. Apple needs to concentrate instead on what they do best!
Of course not
From earlier comment: "If a person can't differentiate between those logos, there's something wrong. New York is the "Big Apple" after all."
Brilliant idea! Apple should sue New York! Apple should be the biggest Apple, after all.
Give it a rest Apple!
logo's
Apple does not have to sue other co. unles the made an exact replica of their logo
A bite of any Apple logo
WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH APPLE!!! Man what does every apple in the world belong to Apple. Sure the co. is great but they are going overboard. Go back to Ben Franklin's saying " An apple a day keeps the doctor away". Ok I know that doesn't have to do with this but sireously.
LOGO'S
uh WHAT THE LAST 2 GUYS SAID ABOUT APPLE
*snicker*
WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH APPLE!!! Man what does every apple in the world belong to Apple. Sure the co. is great but they are going overboard. Go back to Ben Franklin's saying " An ae doctor away". Ok I know that doesn't have to do with this but sireously.pple a day keeps th
nkl
WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH APPLE!!! Man what does every apple in the world belong to Apple. Sure the co. is great but they are going overboard. Go back to Ben Franklin's saying " An apple a day keeps the doctor away". Ok I know that doesn't have to do with this but sireously
Apple is barking up the wrong tree
Apple's out of line. You can't trademark any apple, but your interpretation of an apple. These two aren't even close to Apple's corporate logo as shown here. It's like saying no one else can use the image of a tree because you have a tree as your logo.