Slashdot Mirror


Apple Threatens Steve Jobs Doll Maker With Lawsuit

redletterdave writes "Apple has allegedly threatened to sue Chinese company 'In Icons' over its eerily realistic 12-inch action figure of Steve Jobs, the company's late founder and CEO. The 1:6 scale model, which was said to be distributed by DiD Corp. in late February, comes with the clothes and accessories popularized by Jobs, such as the black faux turtleneck, blue jeans and sneakers. The figurine is packaged in a box that looks like Walter Isaacson's 'Steve Jobs' biography cover, and also comes with a 'One More Thing...' backdrop, as well as two red apples, including one with a bite in it. To make it extra creepy, the doll's realistic head sculpt features Jobs' famous unblinking stare. Apple reportedly wrote 'In Icons', telling the Chinese manufacturer that any toy that resembles Apple's logo or products, or Job's name or appearance, is a 'criminal offense.' Attorneys believe a Steve Jobs action figure released after his death violates the 'right of publicity,' which is a state law that protects one's image, voice, photograph, identity or signature from being used commercially without consent. Furthermore, California's Celebrity Rights Act in 1985 protects a celebrity's personality rights up to 70 years after their death."

5 of 314 comments (clear)

  1. Good luck with that by Lexx+Greatrex · · Score: 5, Funny

    Personally I think it will make a good addition to the sequel to Team America World Police.

    1. Re:Good luck with that by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Actually you're mistaken.

      The United States passed a law that all U.S. laws apply in foreign countries.

    2. Re:Good luck with that by Ihmhi · · Score: 5, Funny

      Actually you're mistaken.

      The United States passed a law that all U.S. laws apply in foreign countries.

      Ah yes, the "American Mandated Exercises Regarding InterContinental Actions For Underlying Causes to Keep Your Earnings At Home" Act. Good one, that.

  2. Stupid by WindBourne · · Score: 5, Funny

    If they REALLY wanted to stop it, simply threaten to pull the manufacturing and bring it back to USA. Then Chinese gov. will stop it.

    --
    I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
    1. Re:Stupid by kanto · · Score: 5, Funny

      If they REALLY wanted to stop it, simply threaten to pull the manufacturing and bring it back to USA. Then Chinese gov. will stop it.

      Wouldn't work, the Chinese would just insist that "All your Jobs are belong to us".