Facebook As Thin-Skinned And Short-Sighted As Apple When It Comes To Zuckerberg Action Figure

from the kung-fu-grip dept

A few months back, we wrote about Apple's heavy-handed approach in stopping a Chinese firm by the name of MIC Gadget from selling a Steve Jobs action figure. We discussed why it didn't make much sense, but that's never stopped Apple. And, now, it appears that Facebook is being rather Apple-like, in response to the same firm coming up with a Mark Zuckerberg look-a-like action figure. The firm apparently tried to appease the social networking giant by not name checking Zuckerberg, but instead calling the figure the "Poking Inventor." Facebook's lawyers decided to poke back in their own way. Again, I don't see how this move really makes that much sense, but these days people seem to get a bit overprotective. In the meantime, if anyone feels like selling an action figure of me, go for it.

Filed Under: action figures, mark zuckerberg, steve jobs
Companies: apple, facebook, mic gadget

Apple Forces Removal Of Steve Jobs Action Figure

from the but-why? dept

A Chinese company, MIC Gadget, got some attention for its Steve Jobs figurine but some of that attention came from Apple's lawyers, who forced the company to stop selling the item. Lawyer David Canton (who pointed us to this story) does a nice job of explaining why this doesn't make much sense:

It's not as if this in practice causes any harm to Apple or Steve Jobs or confusion about their brand. It doesn't put Steve or Apple in any bad light -- in fact, it's a good likeness. And it sold quickly, so there is demand for it.

Steve and Apple are not desperate for any extra publicity, or any extra income. But instead of shutting them down -- what if they struck a deal to pay a royalty on each one, and to sell them in Apple stores -- and then Apple donate its income from this to charity.

But that would go beyond the standard mentality of "protect, protect, protect."

Filed Under: action figures, publicity rights, steve jobs, trademark
Companies: apple, mic gadget