Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Apple could force a 111-year-old fruit company to change its Apple logo

androidauthority.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

181–187 of 187 posts

Re: Apple could force a 111-year-old fruit company to change its Apple logo

#181

Post by as_bntd »

mattmaroon wrote: post #113

This title is clickbait. If you read the article, it’s pretty clear that Apple has taken no action against the fruit company and there’s no reason to think they will, or that they’d even be able to if granted the trademarks requested. It also seems as if they’re trying to retain rights to use the whole apple for specific products. From the source: “ Apple's attempts to secure the trademark in Switzerland go as far ba…

> So what’s really happening: Apple is trying to prevent others from using apples, including ones that don’t look particularly like Apple’s apple (2d, monochrome, bite out of it) from being used to compete with them. You couldn’t start “granny smith’s headphones and use an apple as your logo.

As far as I can tell, the apple in the trademark application looks exactly the same (except for the color) as the green apple in the Apple Records logo.

Re: Apple could force a 111-year-old fruit company to change its Apple logo

#182

Post by as_bntd »

NoGravitas wrote: post #97

Deeply ironic considering Apple Computer's fraught trademark history with Apple Records. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps_v_Apple_Computer

That is actually the source of this. They are trying to register Apple Corps' trademark/logo.

Re: Apple could force a 111-year-old fruit company to change its Apple logo

#184

Post by philistine »

gwbas1c wrote: post #137
tdy721 wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because Steve took the name off a Beatles Album. It wasn't extortion

He got the idea up on a farm when he did an Apple fast. I suspect LSD was involved.

Do we need an origin story for coming up with the word Apple?

I mean, it’s an Apple.

Re: Apple could force a 111-year-old fruit company to change its Apple logo

#185

Post by traveler01 »

ant6n wrote: post #90
chaosbolt wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well one is a fruit company and apples are fruits and it did it first, and the other is a tech company that came after it and is saying the logos are similar, in an ideal world a judge would say ok I believe you now you change it. But hey, Apple is a 2 trillion dollar company, wars have been started for a lot less, so the discussion isn't even worth having unless you also believe in Santa.

Well a Swiss judge can only tell Apple to use a different brand in Switzerland. I doubt the Apple Switzerland business is worth 2 Trillion.

Well they can endup agreeing Apple Switzerland will never use the brand for the same areas that Apple US does.

Re: Apple could force a 111-year-old fruit company to change its Apple logo

#186

Post by marc »

marc wrote: post #79

The key word here is “could”. It assumes a lot of conditions will be met including Apple being granted the additional rights they seek (unlikely), them then wanting to enforce their mark against this fruit company (unlikely), and winning litigation (unlikely). TL;DR click bait

Not sure why I'm being downvoted, but here's my reasoning:

"Apple being granted the additional rights they seek (unlikely)"

Trademark tend to be narrowly scoped to the products and services being marketed by the company.

"them then wanting to enforce their mark against this fruit company (unlikely)"

They have more to lose (reputation) than to gain.

"winning litigation (unlikely)"

There's no likelihood of confusion. Dictionary words can be trademarked, but generally not for the goods and services they describe. Fruit company has used the mark before Apple even existed. Trademark rights are based on first use, regardless of filing.

Re: Apple could force a 111-year-old fruit company to change its Apple logo

#187

Post by grey_earthling »

rjmunro wrote: post #37
grey_earthling wrote: post #31

If Apple want to argue that the logos are confusingly similar, well OK then: the newer company should be obliged to change their logo.

You mean the newer logo should be changed - I don't think the fruit company has had the same logo for 111 years.

Yes, I do! Good point!
Post reply on HN