Apple Warns Companies About 'Pod' Naming

eldavojohn writes "In what may be a case of trademark trolling, Apple has issued warnings to makers of other electronic devices containing the word 'pod.' Two companies have been asked to remove the word from their products. Why might this be a mean action by Apple? These two companies don't manufacture MP3 players as one would think would cause confusion. From the article:

Profit Pod is a device that compiles data from vending machines, while TightPod manufactures slip-on covers designed to protect electronic products such as laptops and MP3 players.

Back in the day, if someone was calling an electronic device a 'pod,' I would have thought they were talking about Line 6's Guitar and Bass pods (which I believe have been around for a while). How come they aren't warning Apple about their iPod naming?"

Comments

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[yagu]

Dave. Open the pod bay doors, Hal.

Hal. I'm sorry, Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.

Dave. What's the problem?

Hal. Apple discovered my ties to IBM and issued a cease and desist order. You are no longer allowed to open the pod bay door.

Good for them! Let's take it to the next step....

[vishbar]

They've gone half-way, but now it's time to make SURE that the iPod's name will never be infringed upon. The next logical step is to not allow others to use any name beginning with the letter "i", ESPECIALLY a lower-case "i". Good for Apple, glad to see they're supporting free speech! Because I know that if I see a piece of technology with the word "pod" in it, it immediately becomes indistiguishable from an MP3 player.

Next up... Apple sues God...

[GoatMonkey2112]

...for putting peas in a pod.

Re:In a Different Community, It Was The Standard

[revlayle]

Yep, I certainly use common word "pod" in everyday speech.

example usage I use all the time: "My family was hatched from pods."

;)

This just in from Big Blue and the crunchy one...

[geobeck]

Two major computer companies announced a lawsuit today against toilet manufacturer iBM...