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Italian Clothing Company Defeats Apple, Wins the Right To Use Steve Jobs' Name (macrumors.com)
An Italian clothing company that uses the name "Steve Jobs" as its brand will be able to continue using the moniker after winning a multi-year legal battle, reports Italian site la Repubblica Napoli. Mac Rumors reports: Brothers Vincenzo and Giacomo Barbato named their clothing brand "Steve Jobs" in 2012 after learning that Apple had not trademarked his name. "We did our market research and we noticed that Apple, one of the best known companies in the world, never thought about registering its founder's brand, so we decided to do it," the two told la Repubblica Napoli. The Barbatos designed a logo that resembles Apple's own, choosing the letter "J" with a bite taken out of the side. Apple, of course, sued the two brothers for using Jobs' name and a logo that mimics the Apple logo. In 2014, the European Union's Intellectual Property Office ruled in favor of the Barbatos and rejected Apple's trademark opposition. While the outcome of the legal battle was decided in 2014, Vincenzo and Giacomo Barbato have been unable to discuss the case until now, as their claim on the brand was not settled until 2017. The two told la Repubblica Napoli that Apple went after the logo, something that may have been a mistake. The Intellectual Property Office decided that the "J" logo that appears bitten was not infringing on Apple's own designs as a letter is not edible and thus the cutout in the letter cannot be perceived as a bite. The report goes on to note that the company plans to produce electronic devices under the Steve Jobs brand.
ugly logo
I'm not a fan of IP hoarding, but "Steve Jobs" implies that either Apple or Jobs (when he was alive) has something to do with the design of the Italian company's products.
It's stupid that now Microsoft will have to trademark "Bill Gates" and "Satya Nadella", Amazon will trademark "Jeff Bezos", etc.
American consumers have been exposed to a myriad of brand names which contain the same, or similar words, but are not related. The state of Georgia has a lot of companies called "Peachtree".
"Apple Computer" and "Apple Records" with their distinct logos are sufficiently distinct to avoid confusing the majority of consumers. At least until iTunes and the iPod, and Apple Computer's music industry presense.
"Steve Jobs" and its distinctive logo is clearly intended to invoke recognition of Steve Jobs. In the USA, it is strongly expected that such obvious and overt references would be the result of some deal or agreement of sorts. Apple's position in the market suggests that a clothing line, potentially called "Steve Jobs" could be an area where Apple could expand into and build their brand. Though, it is perhaps more valuable to have a separate italian brand, rather than just some marketing materials like most orher brands.
If it's in England and it's beer they can.
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
Apple should rename itself to "Steve Wozniak" in retaliation.
Fucking hell, Prince Charles is posting on slashdot!
And with all due respect, you're talking out of your royal arse. There's Barbara (actress) and Bobby (Rugby player) just off the top of my head.
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
I'm not sure what they lied to the court about? When you admit something, thats sort of the opposite to lying, and fraud requires that you lie about something.
Regardless, this whole thing is about trying to get a payout out of apple. At some point apple is going to offer a big fat old payday to them to give up wth name. That, I suspect, is the end goal.
Excuse the Unicode crap in my posts. That's an apostrophe, and slashdot is busted.
If nobody can really perceive it as something with a bite mark, then why would anyone use the terms "appears bitten" to describe it?
Clearly it can be perceived as a bite mark, even if what is being depicted cannot be eaten.
File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
Creating a brand name (and a logo) is one thing. Running a successful company, selling desirable products, is another. Given the large percentage of companies that fail, and given how crowded the clothing market is, they will probably soon disappear after this ephemeral hour of stolen glory, at which point Apple will probably be quick to snatch back the trademark. Not that Apple should own it, really. Jobs’ family should.
Vincenzo and Giacomo Barbato
"Everybody's naked underneath" -- The Doctor