Thursday, October 15, 2009

The Forbidden Fruit: Your Logo is Too Apple-y


About a year ago Woolworths, an Australian based retail companay, came out with a new logo that they say is "stylized 'W' or fresh produce. Apple, a popular US based technology company, claims that Woolworths' new logo is too similar to their own. Apple filed this claim to IP Austrailia, an agency that deals with trademarks, and wants them to reject the new logo.

The designer Hans Hulsbosch says''Based on this logic, they would have to take action against every fruit-seller.''

This isn't the first time Apple has accused a company of ripping off their logo. Just last year they accused Victoria School of Business and Technology for copying their logo, also an apple. Back then they said
"Your business logo…reproduces, without authority, our client's Apple design logo which it widely uses. By doing so, you are infringing Apple's rights, and further, falsely suggesting that Apple has authorized your activities."
Apple declined to comment on the issue with Woolworths.

I think Apple is going too far in protecting their brand. I wouldn't even associate the company Apple with Woolworth's logo. I like how they incorporated a W in their logo and thought that was clever.

It's also a little hypocritical considering the Beatles' record label, Apple Corps, sued Apple three years ago for stealing their apple concept and logo. However, Apple won that court case (link) so I guess they feel that it's "theirs".

So to all designers out there, apples are off limits. God Steve Jobs said so.

~Christine
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4 comments:

  1. Mike EstabrookOctober 16, 2009 at 12:03 PM

    I guess Apple thinks they invented apple-associated logos. Because they've had such huge success with the "apple," it seems they want to keep a monopoly on it. I don't think Apple is suing Woolworths in defense of its copyright but instead as an attempt to get rid of all similar identities in order to have consumers exclusively connect an apple with their brand.

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  2. deannehooverOctober 16, 2009 at 12:55 PM

    It's amazing that Apple Corps was unable to win its lawsuit with Apple. I always thought that there was some sort of connection between the two.

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  3. Scott SimoneOctober 16, 2009 at 3:10 PM

    I think it's ridiculous that Apple is suing for this.They did not invent the apple. If some other company wants to use a version of an apple for their logo (and it makes sense) they should be able to do so.

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  4. 0000000October 16, 2009 at 3:24 PM

    ok does apple have a monopoly on anything apple? my town (lafayette... home of the apple fest) better watch out! i love the apple company that have so many great toys but this makes me mad. the Woolworth simple is nothing like theres... yes it has A (not THE) apple shape but its nothing even close no the apple silhouette shape. the Woolworth's apple is a very loose interpretation of an apple anyways... i don't see how apple could sue over this.

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