The Big Apple vs. Apple

[heatherink]

Apple filed a federal trademark infringement suit against the City of New York and their GreeNYC campaign. GreeNYC created a logo that is being used on bus shelters, hybrid gasoline-electric taxicabs and even Whole Foods shopping bags. Apple says the logo looks too much like their logo and people may confuse the two.

Apple is claiming the GreeNYC mark will "seriously injure the reputation which [Apple] has established for its goods and services."

"This well-known city is using its new design in a variety of contexts that have absolutely nothing to do with Apple Inc.," New York City claims.

What do you think? Is Apple overreacting? Or has New York City bitten off more than it can chew?

[blueocto]

I dont think it looks anything like Apple's 'apple' and if any company in the world wishes to use an 'apple' because they sell or are called the word 'apple' then tough shit. You can't copyright a fruit! lol

[flick]

that's a massive overreaction. new york has been named 'the big apple' for a lot longer than Apple Macintosh has been around

[onesummer]

definite overreaction. the only thing they have in common is that both have an apple as its main design element. as mentioned above, they certainly cannot copyright an 'apple' in the general shape terms.

give me a break.

[Mailno]

NYC one doesn't even look like an apple, just a big mushy mess

[LeadMagnet]

That's retarded. If the NYC logo had a chunk bitten out of it then MAYBE they'd have a case, but it's an apple for god's sake. Apple need to grow up.

[Sensei.Design]

there is nothing similar in the logos besinde the idea of a apple in it. can'T understand them

[skunkbad]

Apple probably just needs an excuse to keep their attorneys busy. The NYC apple doesn't have the bite, has a stem, the leaf is in the other direction, and the apple itself is comprised of an infinity symbol. Apple probably just likes the NYC logo, and is jealous!

[char1ie]

I always wondered if there would be a case between Apple and Apple Corp - the Beatles business arm. I'm surprised that Apple think they have a case with trademark infringement as the Big Apple is an older institution. Maybe they are just concerned about the look of the apple. In the old days I'm sure that whenever I saw The Big apple it was always a big juice red fruit and nothing like the stylized Apple logo.

Charlie

[LeadMagnet]

You might be interested to read this char1ie:
Apple Corps - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Apple and Apple Corps have had legal battles several times over their trademarks.