“Apple, fresh from a patent victory against South Korean rival Samsung, has turned its sights on a smaller target – Polish online grocery website A.pl,” Dagmara Leszkowicz reports for Reuters.
“The Polish patent office said on Tuesday the U.S. maker of the iPad, iPhone and iPod had filed a complaint, accusing the website of copying one of Apple’s icons to its logo and riding its coattails to win customer,” Leszkowicz reports. “‘[The] Apple brand is widely recognized and the company says that A.pl, by using the name that sounds similar, is using Apple’s reputation,’ patent office spokesman Adam Taukert said.”
Apple needs to reign in it’s legal beagles as this will backfire on them in more ways than one. These logos do not even come close of looking alike? God given apples came way before Apple Inc.
A.pl’s logo is a round shape with an identical stem above it(only tilted slightly more), and a freaking bite taken out of the right side where the ‘h’ melds into the background.
That’s very close to the same.
If A.pl gets away with this, then expect to see PCs in the near future with logos slapped on them that look almost, but not entirely, like the Apple logo with the intent to fool consumers even more than they’re already fooled by existing by iMac and Macbook knockoffs.
OK folks, I know everyone is on edge for wednesday but take a breath. The logo is just 1/2. the web site for the place is not fresh24.pl,,,,,,, its A.pl So there you go.
Another thought, I would guess its Apples Poland lawyers that are doing this, not the ones in the US.
And its the same thing styrofoam has to do every time someone in the USA mentions stryofoam cups at an event….. they have to comment its expanded polystyrene cups unless they are actually styrofoam BRAND. If you do not, you can lose your logo. Its the law…….. crazy lawyers. 🙁
It could be a grape, a gooseberry, an unripe tomato, an unripe orange, the list is small but apple isn’t the only green fruit. Besides, most apples are not green.
The 24 is we are open 24 hrs, it’s not an A in disguise.
a.pl is the parent company that owns Fresh 24, which has the logo in question… and the a.pl logo looks nothing like the Apple Inc. logo. So is the lawsuit against A.pl or Fresh 24? Either is ridiculous and the Apple legal team has Jumped the Shark on this one.
If it was just fresh.pl with the apple I would be fine, but if they’re using a.pl then I think it’s a bit harder because they’re obviously trying to create the sound of the word apple and using an apple logo, albeit a differently style one is pushing it a bit.
That said, are people stupid enough to think that a.pl would be something to do with Apple the sort of customers Apple should be too bothered about?
The stylized stem was definitely inspired by the Apple logo, and I can see them taking some umbrage about that part, but I think this is a bit of a stretch on Apple’s part.
Apparently, all the postings so far think Apple is going too far but if Apple doesn’t do this, their brand is diluted so much that Samsung will feel that they can use the blob with a leaf over it on their products too. Apple is very justified at protecting its trade marked icon.
Nope, it has to be challenged or some lawyer will use it in a case as Apple acceptance. If in doubt, vigorously defend your property. Other, risk losing parts or the whole of it.
The above statement by me has oddly posted to your comment and was not for your statement. Thus, disregard.
I agree with what you are saying. Most people posting here do not understand that you must defend what you have or it can be used as a case for acceptance by Apple. This is exactly what they must do as a company regardless of what the public may think.
What a stretch, and the colors are wrong. I don’t think Apple when I see it. Thats the kind of crap I’d expect out of Samsung or Microsoft, but not Apple.
Actually, companies have to protect their trademarks if they want to keep them. Sometimes it looks like they’re going after dumb stuff but it is part of how the system works.
Apple is justified. Imagine that logo on, say, a dishwasher with most of the logo covered up by a price sticker, say, withe stem part being totally visible and the rest covered by the sticker. Now from far away it looks like the dishwasher is from Apple. And what’s with the A.pl?
People, use your brain and see how devious companies could get similar looking logo’s and then use them to rip off Apple.
Rip off Apple?? It’s an online grocery store!
Even the Beatles didn’t go after Apple till they started marketing and selling music in large quantity.
And since when is the Apple logo green?
I understand the necessity to protect trademarks, but this seems a real stretch.
I did use my brain and it said that something like this would probably be a net negative for Apple by the amount of people thinking that Apple is losing it and comes off as a bully rather than the benefit of actually going after a foreign concern.
@Paul – A.pl is the parent company of the separate company Fresh24… the A.pl logo looks nothing like the Apple inc logo. And your logic of covering up 90% of a logo and saying that 10% of it somehow violates copyright law is ridiculous… especially since they are not in the electronics business. This would be like Ford Motor Company suing a parent company located in the Grand Duchy of Radictistan whose domain name is “F.rd” who owns a plumbing company whose logo has an oval in it. The disconnect is ridiculous.
You fucking morons don’t see how this is rip off????? For gods sake???? Take a few steps back calm down and with a fresh look at the situation tell me with, a straight face, that when the idiot in Poland thought of this logo he DID NOT have Apple (the computer company) in mind.
It doesn’t matter that they are a fucking grocery store!
Apple have to protect their visual branding /identity/logo/recognition and they have to be seen to be doing so.
You dilute your rights as well as your identity by sitting back doing nothing.
These kind of proceedings are common, the difference here is that it involves Apple Inc. and a headline ““Apple, fresh from a patent victory against South Korean rival Samsung, has turned its sights on a smaller target …” it’s antagonistic and prepped with prejudice.
The witty (not) writer placed the “fresh” from a patent victory … in the story as a pun/play on the Polish business name, but it comes off as if Apple were/are being arrogant and conceited, ready to take down everyone … it’s a bullshit take and it panders to the vacuous.
I think Apple is pushing the envelope here.
1. I don’t think Apple holds the patent on the fruit. I could be wrong.
2. It’s a grocery chain. Not much competition to Apple unless Apple is going to sell groceries on iTunes.
This is a bit overkill….lawyers protecting their jobs.
It’s also lawyers protecting the interests of the shareholders who have invested in Apple. If you are a shareholder (I am not) and you would like them the cease protecting your investment, you need to let them know. If you are not, then let them do their job (for which they are, of course, grossly overpaid).
@GeekJen – they didn’t replace their logo… the one you linked to is the logo of the A.pl parent company who owns the company Fresh 24. So somehow Apple Inc is ridiculously connecting one company’s domain name to another company’s logo, in completely different businesses and saying that somehow this violates copyright laws.
Apple needs to worry less about some apple logo that looks like an apple, and more about some young start-up company, working out of a garage or cheaply rented office space, and run by two or three very hard working and creative geeks.
Has Apple patented the color green now?
Apple attacks limes, kiwis, pears, and bell peppers. Oh, the humanity.
What? Seriously?
In the stem I can see it. If you cover the apple logo and just look at the other the stem makes you think Apple Inc.
Not that people would probably confuse it, but it definitely is borrowing cache from Apple Inc. which means it is also diluting the brand.
Apple needs to reign in it’s legal beagles as this will backfire on them in more ways than one. These logos do not even come close of looking alike? God given apples came way before Apple Inc.
Come on.
Not even close to looking the same?
A.pl’s logo is a round shape with an identical stem above it(only tilted slightly more), and a freaking bite taken out of the right side where the ‘h’ melds into the background.
That’s very close to the same.
If A.pl gets away with this, then expect to see PCs in the near future with logos slapped on them that look almost, but not entirely, like the Apple logo with the intent to fool consumers even more than they’re already fooled by existing by iMac and Macbook knockoffs.
Okay Apple… this is ridiculous!
Apple needs to get out more and breath some fresh air.
Because their brain is rotting.
And everyone said the Beatles’ Apple Corp was wrong for suing Apple…
OK folks, I know everyone is on edge for wednesday but take a breath. The logo is just 1/2. the web site for the place is not fresh24.pl,,,,,,, its A.pl So there you go.
Another thought, I would guess its Apples Poland lawyers that are doing this, not the ones in the US.
And its the same thing styrofoam has to do every time someone in the USA mentions stryofoam cups at an event….. they have to comment its expanded polystyrene cups unless they are actually styrofoam BRAND. If you do not, you can lose your logo. Its the law…….. crazy lawyers. 🙁
Someone better get in there and add “class” back in. This is chincy and unbecoming.
Totally ridiculous and a waste of valuable time.
Yup. A little silly and embarrassing.
Parody is an acceptable form of advertising, and legal! Cool it, Apple!
It could be a grape, a gooseberry, an unripe tomato, an unripe orange, the list is small but apple isn’t the only green fruit. Besides, most apples are not green.
The 24 is we are open 24 hrs, it’s not an A in disguise.
Apple is going to look stupid with this one.
I believe the article says the web site is “A.pl” . Why that name when its Fresh 24 company???
Just saying.
a.pl is the parent company that owns Fresh 24, which has the logo in question… and the a.pl logo looks nothing like the Apple Inc. logo. So is the lawsuit against A.pl or Fresh 24? Either is ridiculous and the Apple legal team has Jumped the Shark on this one.
“…most apples are not green.”
Prove that statement.
I was hoping this was an Onion article.
If it was just fresh.pl with the apple I would be fine, but if they’re using a.pl then I think it’s a bit harder because they’re obviously trying to create the sound of the word apple and using an apple logo, albeit a differently style one is pushing it a bit.
That said, are people stupid enough to think that a.pl would be something to do with Apple the sort of customers Apple should be too bothered about?
The stylized stem was definitely inspired by the Apple logo, and I can see them taking some umbrage about that part, but I think this is a bit of a stretch on Apple’s part.
Apparently, all the postings so far think Apple is going too far but if Apple doesn’t do this, their brand is diluted so much that Samsung will feel that they can use the blob with a leaf over it on their products too. Apple is very justified at protecting its trade marked icon.
Nope, it has to be challenged or some lawyer will use it in a case as Apple acceptance. If in doubt, vigorously defend your property. Other, risk losing parts or the whole of it.
The above statement by me has oddly posted to your comment and was not for your statement. Thus, disregard.
I agree with what you are saying. Most people posting here do not understand that you must defend what you have or it can be used as a case for acceptance by Apple. This is exactly what they must do as a company regardless of what the public may think.
That apple doesn’t look very fresh
What a stretch, and the colors are wrong. I don’t think Apple when I see it. Thats the kind of crap I’d expect out of Samsung or Microsoft, but not Apple.
Actually, companies have to protect their trademarks if they want to keep them. Sometimes it looks like they’re going after dumb stuff but it is part of how the system works.
Apple is justified. Imagine that logo on, say, a dishwasher with most of the logo covered up by a price sticker, say, withe stem part being totally visible and the rest covered by the sticker. Now from far away it looks like the dishwasher is from Apple. And what’s with the A.pl?
People, use your brain and see how devious companies could get similar looking logo’s and then use them to rip off Apple.
Rip off Apple?? It’s an online grocery store!
Even the Beatles didn’t go after Apple till they started marketing and selling music in large quantity.
And since when is the Apple logo green?
I understand the necessity to protect trademarks, but this seems a real stretch.
I did use my brain and it said that something like this would probably be a net negative for Apple by the amount of people thinking that Apple is losing it and comes off as a bully rather than the benefit of actually going after a foreign concern.
@Paul – A.pl is the parent company of the separate company Fresh24… the A.pl logo looks nothing like the Apple inc logo. And your logic of covering up 90% of a logo and saying that 10% of it somehow violates copyright law is ridiculous… especially since they are not in the electronics business. This would be like Ford Motor Company suing a parent company located in the Grand Duchy of Radictistan whose domain name is “F.rd” who owns a plumbing company whose logo has an oval in it. The disconnect is ridiculous.
You fucking morons don’t see how this is rip off????? For gods sake???? Take a few steps back calm down and with a fresh look at the situation tell me with, a straight face, that when the idiot in Poland thought of this logo he DID NOT have Apple (the computer company) in mind.
It doesn’t matter that they are a fucking grocery store!
Did you just suggest that we try to determine what someone else was thinking in order to prove your point? Madness.
Indeed Paul you are an expert! Expert that believes his own made up crap! Grow up Paul!
Apple have to protect their visual branding /identity/logo/recognition and they have to be seen to be doing so.
You dilute your rights as well as your identity by sitting back doing nothing.
These kind of proceedings are common, the difference here is that it involves Apple Inc. and a headline ““Apple, fresh from a patent victory against South Korean rival Samsung, has turned its sights on a smaller target …” it’s antagonistic and prepped with prejudice.
The witty (not) writer placed the “fresh” from a patent victory … in the story as a pun/play on the Polish business name, but it comes off as if Apple were/are being arrogant and conceited, ready to take down everyone … it’s a bullshit take and it panders to the vacuous.
Just color it Orange. Problem solved. 😉
I think Apple is pushing the envelope here.
1. I don’t think Apple holds the patent on the fruit. I could be wrong.
2. It’s a grocery chain. Not much competition to Apple unless Apple is going to sell groceries on iTunes.
This is a bit overkill….lawyers protecting their jobs.
It’s also lawyers protecting the interests of the shareholders who have invested in Apple. If you are a shareholder (I am not) and you would like them the cease protecting your investment, you need to let them know. If you are not, then let them do their job (for which they are, of course, grossly overpaid).
They have already replaced their logo :
Case closed
@GeekJen – they didn’t replace their logo… the one you linked to is the logo of the A.pl parent company who owns the company Fresh 24. So somehow Apple Inc is ridiculously connecting one company’s domain name to another company’s logo, in completely different businesses and saying that somehow this violates copyright laws.
Apple needs to worry less about some apple logo that looks like an apple, and more about some young start-up company, working out of a garage or cheaply rented office space, and run by two or three very hard working and creative geeks.