Vista Group April 2008 - comparing Apples with Apples
Today’s Vista Group lunch discussion roamed free as usual (beauty pageants, chick-lit, Benny Hill’s dad and condoms all got a mention). However, I did get some thoughts from the group on the latest move by Apple to object to New York City’s trademark register application for an apple logo for its campaign to improve New Yorkers’ eco-habits. To me, the objection looks totally without merit:
- NYC wants to use this special logo to promote green behaviour, which is a million miles from the uses of Apple’s trademark;
- The logos are nothing like each other; and
- The killer for me: New York City is the original Big Apple (from way before one S. Jobs appeared on the scene).
The massive branding brain power of the Vista Group concluded that there are 4 possible explanations:
- Apple really believes it has a valid objection;
- Apple’s IP lawyers are on retainer, and routinely challenge any trademark applications mentioning apples, to justify their fees;
- Apple knows its objection is groundless, but is doing it to scare off any smaller players who might consider using apples in their branding, but don’t want to pick a fight with Apple;
- Steve Jobs is the ultimate showman, and this is just another brand-building stunt.
I leave it to you to reach your own conclusions.
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April 18th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Perhpas its all except the first reason, kill 3 birds with 1 stone
May 19th, 2008 at 9:23 am
After the end of their 12 year litigation (a loss to Apple) with The Beatles Apple Corp. the lawyers needed another cash cow if they were to avoid litigation.
Imagine it, a world where you pick your assignment, don’t have to disclose your fee structure and bill the same minute to as many clients as YOU think sh/could have benefitted from you rumination.