4 ms·
I think it's appropriate to have a bias toward hostility when a large company makes a large claim, because they've got the legal resources to win basically any
by human20190310 7y ago
I think it's appropriate to have a bias toward hostility when a large company makes a large claim, because they've got the legal resources to win basically any dispute once they have a foothold.
> I can call a music producer "Apple"
Even if you could, it would likely be a legal pain in the ass. Apple fought over using the letter "i" as a prefix to product names.
Might as well start fighting as soon as a large company even tries to claim something with a public-domain vibe.
- hans1729 7y ago>Apple fought over using the letter "i" as a prefix to product names that's comparing apples to oranges though, isn't it? i as a prefix for product-names seems critical, as such-labeled products were heavily and uniquely associated with apple-products, whereas a music-producer isn't intrinsically representing apples brand, just because they share the name. apple is a giant brand, but you can in fact can still buy apples without thinking about computers or steve jobs
- human20190310 7y agoApple is in the music business though. If you combine "Apple" and some music business I think you can expect trouble. In fact they (and Facebook, and others) are in so many businesses that any trademark they claim is going to have wide impact.
- hans1729 7y agoSure, I wouldn't assume they'd just ignore it - the comparison to i-prefixed products just seemed inadequate, and the 'apples and oranges'-ref essentially wrote itself :-)
- kube-system 7y agoFunny, because there was trouble, but it's actually the opposite of what you might expect. Apple was the one who was getting sued for entering into the music industry. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps_v_Apple_Computer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps_v_Apple_Computer
- greenyoda 7y agoYeah, Apple Corps was founded by the Beatles in 1968 (before Apple Computer existed). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps
- htfu 7y ago_All_ y'all ignorant of Apple Corps? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps_v_Apple_Computer https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps_v_Apple_Computer Not that big a deal, just a hilarious(ly apt?) example, considering the history.
- wlesieutre 7y agoFun fact from this - System 7 added alert sounds, and Apple Legal was worried about the name “chime” being too musical. The annoyed creator of the alert sounds renamed it “Sosumi” (pronounced “so sue me”) and told them it was Japanese. https://web.archive.org/web/20050601000233/http://www.boingboing.net/2005/03/24/early_apple_sound_de.html https://web.archive.org/web/20050601000233/http://www.boingb...
- htfu 7y agoToo beautiful!
- adam-a 7y agoPerhaps I'm missing the subtle point here, but you can't call a music producer Apple, even if you predate Apple Inc by a decade, and have millions of dollars to hire lawyers. You can license the trademark from them though, if you are lucky. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps_v_Apple_Computer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps_v_Apple_Computer
- zhte415 7y agoTrademarks in the USA are based on First to Use, not First to File. Some countries are First to File. The linked article states that up until 2007 Apple Inc had the trademark for software and related business, and Apple Corps for Music production/physical distribution. Then in 2007 Apple Inc purchased Apple Corps trademarks for USD 500 million. I'm reminded of Nissan vs Nissan.
- mirimir 7y agoYeah, but this was Apple Corp suing Apple Computer, multiple times. And they more or less prevailed, in that Apple Computer has paid them settlements.