The Fruit Union Suisse, the oldest and largest fruit farmer’s organization in Switzerland, has used a red apple with a white cross as its logo for most of its 111-year history. However, the group is now worried that it may have to change its logo because Apple, the tech giant, is trying to gain intellectual property rights over depictions of apples, the fruit, that it perceives as infringements on its trademarks.
“We have a hard time understanding this, because it’s not like they’re trying to protect their bitten apple,” Fruit Union Suisse director Jimmy Mariéthoz says, referring to the company’s iconic logo. “Their objective here is really to own the rights to an actual apple, which, for us, is something that is really almost universal … that should be free for everyone to use.”
While the case has left Swiss fruit growers puzzled, it’s part of a global trend. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization’s records, Apple has made similar requests to dozens of IP authorities around the world, with varying degrees of success. Authorities in Japan, Turkey, Israel, and Armenia have acquiesced…
Mariéthoz says that the Fruit Union is concerned because there is no clarity on what uses of the apple shape Apple will try to protect and because the company has been very aggressive in pursuing things that it perceives as infringements on its trademarks. “We’re concerned that any visual representation of an apple—so anything that’s audiovisual or linked to new technologies or to media—could be potentially impacted. That would be a very, very big restriction for us,” he said.
MacDailyNews Take: The Apple logo is a registered trademark (®). The United States Patent and Trademark Office’s “Maintaining a Federal Trademark Registration” document explicitly states: “Throughout the life of the registration, you must police and enforce your rights.”
In fact, in 2012, Apple filed to protect by trademark the Apple logo’s leaf – yes, just the leaf.
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I’m all for protecting your trademark, but come on, this is pretty pathetic. Do better, Apple.
Apple, you are NOT GOD! Knock it off woke Leftists.
Nuff said…
Leftist commenter scum infest this site and shamefully are Apple users. Those people should use Microsoft, they need to go back to where they belong, the dark side of the force. Goeb, sadly it’s impossible to change these people, even with a lobotomy they are still leftist Biden-fellating loons. I think only a civil war can wipe out these traitors for good, and maybe not even then.
okay Loser
You got it 180degrees wrong if you think leftists want unregulated corporate power to triumph over citizens.
wasn’t it your whiny ass that always complains about regulations and then complains twice as loudly when greedy corporations use that power? yeah that was you, GOP slut.
Brainless name calling from the LEFT…Gee, what a surprise!!!
“You got it 180degrees wrong if you think leftists want unregulated corporate power to triumph over citizens.”
You got it 360 degress wrong. Not what I said and learn reading comprehension, please…
White collar thuggery. The kind of action that soils capitalism. A type of plutocracy. When the power possessed destroys the expected “etiquette” of staying in one’s lane.
Yet I agree with you.
This is simply stupid. Apple’d better be careful that a true fruit company would not forbid Apple to use their logo.
I hope somehow Apple gets screwed.
hahahahaha, hahahahaha, hahahahaha,
this is donald trump thinking here,
hahahahaha, hahahahaha
Next, Apple will sue Adam and Eve for trademark misuse.
Made with Apple Cider Vinegar and water.
Just to make them admit to what they are.