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Apple Nixes iPad Giveaways

Posted by samzenpus on from the too-good-for-free dept.

KingSkippus writes "According to a story at CNN, Apple has begun enforcing third party promotion guidelines (PDF) that, among other things, restricts organizations from giving away iPads, using the word 'free' to describe any Apple products in a prominent manner, or promoting giveaways of iPod Touches in lots of less than 250 and with Apple's explicit approval."

5 of 388 comments (clear)

  1. Free Apples! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Eve enjoyed it...

  2. only applies to special contract purchases by rritterson · · Score: 5, Informative

    I looked at the terms linked in the article. It appears these terms are attached to special purchases from Apple solely for promotional purposes. (i.e., you contact Apple beforehand about buying some for a promotion and they give you a discount). In that case, you are accepting the contract. And it's not like they'd sell you 249 iPods then get pissy because you had fewer than 250.

    But, I believe that if I buy an iPad at retail, I can use it in whatever promotional capacity I see fit as long as I do not violate Apple's IP.

    In short: nothing to see here, move along

    --
    -Ryan
    AUWYHSTOT (Acronyms are Useless When You Have to Spell Them Out Too)
    1. Re:only applies to special contract purchases by SomePgmr · · Score: 5, Insightful

      This comment needed to appear in the summary. It would have prevented a lot of wasted armchair lawyer time.

  3. Re:Enforceability? by Raul654 · · Score: 5, Informative

    but they can stop you from using the word "iPad", the Myriad Set font, and any other Apple trademarks when advertising the give-away.

    No, they can't. They can only assert their trademarks to prevent market confusion - specifically, against a competing product with a similar name or similar branding. If you are giving away a genuine Apple-made iPad, there is nothing they can do to prevent you from saying that you are giving away an Apple iPad.

    --


    To make laws that man cannot, and will not obey, serves to bring all law into contempt.
    --E.C. Stanton
  4. Re:Ok? by Sniper98G · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You have to understand. Who wants to buy an Apple product only to turn around and see some poor person with one. How are you supposed to feel superior to them if they have one too.