New York City’s Logo Too Much Like Apple’s
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The Big Apple, which to most is known to most as New York City, has a pending lawsuit from the other big “Apple”. The lawsuit was filed back in September but has just now come to light. The lawsuit against NYC, is for their use of an apple, for the GreenNYC campaign. The campaign that NYC is launching to improve environmental awareness in the city.
So what’s Apple’s problem with GreenNYC using an apple for a logo? Well Apple believes that GreenNYC’s logo is too similar to the logo that Apple uses to trademark its’ products. They believe that once GreenNYC starts releasing logo blazoned merchandise, it will confuse consumers with the well known Apple logo.
(Photo Credit: Crainsnewyork.com)
From looking at both of the logos, I really don’t seen Apple’s case here. While the logos both resemble apples, NYCGreen’s apple is green and is mostly just the outline of an apple. Apple’s logo is fully colored in, and has a glossy futuristic style to it. If anything Apple should be helping to endorse this NYC event, as it’s about environmental awareness. If there’s anything that’s catching on in popularity, it’s environmental news. From a business standpoint, I think Apple should embrace GreenNYC, not distance itself from it.
What’s your opinion on the logo dispute? Feel free to leave a comment below.
April 4th, 2008 at 8:30 am
I don’t see anywhere near enough similarity to confuse consumers.
On the other hand, owners of trademarks do have to be aggressive in protecting them. It may be worth bringing the lawsuit, even if Apple doesn’t expect to win, just to establish that their making the effort.
April 4th, 2008 at 9:35 am
I can understand wanting to protect your trademark. But to me I’d be trying to protect it from competition, or a company that is similar to what I’m selling. I just don’t see the threat that GreenNYC could possibly have on Apple.
April 4th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I don’t personally see it as a threat either. And I think Apple will lose pretty easily on it. But the suit itself may deter other threats that may be legitimate.
Note, I’m not defending Apple here. I think they’re (spelled it correctly that time) being stupid. I’m just trying to think up some rationale they might have rattling around in their heads.