Olympic Athletes Told To Cover Apple Logos On Devices So Apple Doesn't Get Any Free Promotion

from the this-post-brought-to-you-by-olympic-censorship dept

For many years, we've pointed out the absolutely insane lengths the Olympics goes through to abuse trademark law to insane levels. It often requires host countries to pass special laws that give the Olympics powers that go beyond traditional trademark laws. And then, it does things like covering up the logos on toilets and sinks with tape, because those companies don't pay to be sponsors. It even launched an investigation at the last Olympics after it was discovered that athletes were having sex with non-sponsor condoms (Durex was the sponsor, but the condoms were not). Way back in 2006, we talked about how Apple was getting "free promotion" at the Olympics because tons of athletes were walking around using iPods with the iconic white earbuds, and reporters would ask them what they were listening to. We joked about the Olympic Committee telling athletes not to use Apple products.

Except, our joke has almost become reality. Apparently, athletes are being told to cover the Apple logo on any electronics they have, because Samsung is the big consumer electronics sponsor for this Olympics, and the Olympic Committee can't let any brand possibly get free support. And, apparently, because the Olympic Committee thinks everyone in the world is a moron who won't recognize that a MacBook with a piece of tape over the Apple is still a MacBook.

Filed Under: apple logo, olympics, sponsors, sponsorships
Companies: apple, samsung

Copyright Fight Brewing Over Who 'Owns' Steve Jobs Silhouette Inside The Apple Logo

from the let-it-go,-guys dept

After Steve Jobs passed away last week, an image quickly went viral showing his silhouette inside the Apple logo, where the traditional "bite" mark once was: But, of course, knowing the times we live in, is it any wonder that there may be a copyright and trademark fight brewing over this tribute image? As the image went viral, many were crediting a Hong Kong design student by the name of Jonathan Mak -- who noted that because of the image he was getting questions about "buying the copyright" on the logo, as well as some job offers. Mak claimed he came up with the image in August, when Jobs retired, but it didn't get much attention at the time. Only after Jobs passed away was when the image suddenly went viral.

But, then, over the weekend, others started pointing out that a UK-based designer, who goes by the name Raid71, had apparently come up with a nearly identical image back in May. Mak claimed independent invention, insisting that he "didn't rip off" Raid71 and that he just came up with the same idea himself:

"I still arrived at the solution on my own, and my conscience is still clear, but I'm more than happy to acknowledge the fact that somebody did it before me."

So that's two people. Well, now we have a third. It seems that Farzin Adeli, based in California, isn't just claiming that he came up with the idea, but is trying to copyright and trademark the image. He says he came up with the image right after Jobs' death, and insists that the image that went viral -- while a negative version of the one he made, is "virtually identical" to the image he created. He registered for the copyright on Thursday and is "working with lawyers" on the trademark.

Of course, it's entirely possible that all three of these folks came up with the idea separately. And while it's rare, copyright law does actually allow an independent creation defense. But somehow I doubt that would prevent a potential legal battle.

Still, all three of these might not have any legitimate legal claim to the tribute logo either: I would imagine that Apple could quash any attempts to register the intellectual property claims of these guys. I can't see how any trademark claim gets anywhere, as Apple could obviously claim that it infringes on Apple's existing trademarks and there would be a serious likelihood of confusion. Separately, while I think publicity rights are pretty silly, you have to imagine Steve Jobs' estate could make a publicity rights claim under California law over the use of his likeness. I hope they don't go down that path -- as it is a nice tribute. But, if the others start fighting over who owns what, at the very least, it might be good to remind all of them that probably none of them really should have any IP over the image.

Filed Under: apple logo, copyright, steve jobs, tribute
Companies: apple