Apple Legal vs iPod Domains

MacBytes · 04:09 PM

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif

Wired is reporting that Apple has been sending legal notices to iPod accessory vendors such as everythingipod.co.uk and iPodLife.co.uk to stop them from using the word "iPod" in their names and URLs.

Apple reportedly also threatened legal action against another iPod retailer forcing their name to be changed from iPod Essentials to MP3 Essentials.

Of note, enthusiast site, iPodLounge, recently rebranded their site and changed their name from iPodLounge to iLounge. They reason for the change was cited to be growth and expansion, but its unclear if Apple's recent iPod name interest had any part in it.

LaMerVipere · Sep 19, 2005, 01:20 PM

This seems rather excessive, no?

I mean, all these websites exist to cater to iPod users. That can only be good for Apple business wise.

stoid · Sep 19, 2005, 01:26 PM

Maybe Apple is planning to rename the iPod at some point in the future....

Not likely, but it would be another explanation I suppose.

dogcowx · 04:28 PM

Sites with "Apple" or "Mac" in the titles or URLs are just fine and dandy. Double standard?

mainstreetmark · Sep 19, 2005, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stoid

Maybe Apple is planning to rename the iPod at some point in the future....

Not likely, but it would be another explanation I suppose.

Yeah, that's pretty unlikely. They wouldn't send the lawyer packs after people who use "iPod", in order to save those guys the trouble in the future.

I hope I get to keep "iTunes" in my URL.

solvs · 07:19 PM

This seems odd to me. It's not like it's trademark infringment. Sometimes Apple does things that don't make sense.

Lacero · Sep 19, 2005, 02:04 PM

www.irumors.com is available. Arn?

whooleytoo · Sep 19, 2005, 02:08 PM

A tad ironic, coming from a company named after Apple Records and using it's logo subject to a major court case...

Am I the only one who's seriously starting to hate Apple (but love its products?)

redAPPLE · Sep 19, 2005, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solvs

You know there's a edit feature.

This seems odd to me. It's not like it's trademark infringment. Sometimes Apple does things that don't make sense.

like dropping iPod firewire syncing? uhm... yeah.

clayj · Sep 19, 2005, 02:35 PM

One wonders if the site previously known as "ipodlounge.com" got one of these notices and just decided it was better not to fight Apple... they're "ilounge.com" now.

California · Sep 19, 2005, 02:36 PM

It's a "nano" world at Apple?

LaMerVipere · Sep 19, 2005, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whooleytoo

A tad ironic, coming from a company named after Apple Records and using it's logo subject to a major court case...

Am I the only one who's seriously starting to hate Apple (but love its products?)

You're definitely not the only one; I'm with you.

fixyourthinking · Sep 19, 2005, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clayj

One wonders if the site previously known as "ipodlounge.com" got one of these notices and just decided it was better not to fight Apple... they're "ilounge.com" now.

Yes ... they did .. they chose a non public battle/announcement - unlike some of the other noncreative people trying to make a quick buck at Apple's expense.

mkubal · 03:42 PM

Clearly they're going to change the name of the iPod, but instead of a new name it will be known only by a symbol. A symbol which no one can pronounce so they will simply refer to them as "the music player formerly known as the iPod." So you'll get new sites popping up like http://www.themusicplayerformerlykno...ipodlounge.com. I know, it seems like a really long site name, but what can you do, it's no longer a thing, it's an idea. And everyone will be required by buy a new rebranded (insert new iPod symbol here).

Seems likely, no?

whooleytoo · Sep 19, 2005, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkubal

Clearly they're going to change the name of the iPod, but instead of a new name it will be known only by a symbol. A symbol which no one can pronounce so they will simply refer to them as "the music player formerly known as the iPod." So you'll get new sites popping up like http://www.themusicplayerformerlykno...ipodlounge.com. I know, it seems like a really long site name, but what can you do, it's no longer a thing, it's an idea. And everyone will be required by buy a new rebranded (insert new iPod symbol here).

Seems likely, no?

I reckon it's a dead cert!!!

Wait a second, you might not believe this, but that URL is actually still available! Who'd have thunk it?

mkubal · Sep 19, 2005, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whooleytoo

I reckon it's a dead cert!!!

Wait a second, you might not believe this, but that URL is actually still available! Who'd have thunk it?

Unfathomable really. Maybe I should buy it and then sell it later when someone really wants it.

carpe diem · Sep 19, 2005, 04:07 PM

It is Apple's right to do so if some one is making money of Apple's trademark.

It may be harsh but thats business right!

Chappers · Sep 19, 2005, 04:09 PM

You have to protect your copyright otherwise anyone can use it for whatever. So it may seem heavy handed but.....

AP_piano295 · 04:15 PM

why the hell would apple do that everything being labled an ipod essential is or an ipod product helps apples buisness.

narco · Sep 19, 2005, 04:20 PM

I think that the "iLounge" got a head start because they're the largest iPod-related website. They changed their name because of "expansion" reasons, nobody questions it, everything is fine.

Now this lawsuit comes up which can definitely be bad press for Apple, especially in the wake of all that ThinkSecret mess. Since nobody really knows about any other iPod websites, little press will go to the story and everyone is happy.

That's just my take.

Fishes,
narco.

garotemonkey · Sep 19, 2005, 04:20 PM

Gee, Apple's getting a bit jumpy with their trademark. I figured they'd at least wait until the domains "www.ipodsuck.com" or "www.ipodsucks.com" were hosting sites.

Anyone remember what happened to "www.walmartsucks.com" ? Wasn't there a big brouhaha about them?

~Shard~ · Sep 19, 2005, 04:24 PM

This seems a bit much to me. As an earlier poster said, why not just ban the use of "Mac" in URLs as well? Why just the iPod, what makes it so special? I have agreed in the past with some of Apple's other legal endeavours, but can't say I'm on board for this one...

wPod · Sep 19, 2005, 04:25 PM

come on apple, if it werent for all these sites then people would get bored of just a plain old iPod. they need iPod accessories etc. if people have to start calling their sites "applemp3deviceaccessoreies.com" heh come on, as long as they arent slapping the name on a music playing device then i think they should be able to use iPod. . . . i mean, apple still uses apple, and doesnt prodduce music! heh!!

m-dogg · 07:22 PM

you'd think that apple would be happy that thier brand name has become so successful that it has become synonomous with 'digital music player' - It's like free advertising!

thejadedmonkey · 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m-dogg

you'd think that apple would be happy that thier brand name has become so successful that it has become synonomous with 'digital music player' - It's like free advertising!

100% agreed. It's just bad press, and I can't see any good outcome.

Sep 19, 2005, 01:03 PM	#1
MacBytes macrumors bot Join Date: Jul 2003	Apple Orders Online iPod Vendors To Stop Using The Word http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif Wired is reporting that Apple has been sending legal notices to iPod accessory vendors such as everythingipod.co.uk and iPodLife.co.uk to stop them from using the word "iPod" in their names and URLs. Apple reportedly also threatened legal action against another iPod retailer forcing their name to be changed from iPod Essentials to MP3 Essentials. Of note, enthusiast site, iPodLounge, recently rebranded their site and changed their name from iPodLounge to iLounge. They reason for the change was cited to be growth and expansion, but its unclear if Apple's recent iPod name interest had any part in it. Last edited by arn : Sep 19, 2005 at 04:09 PM.

Sep 19, 2005, 01:20 PM	#2
LaMerVipere macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chicago	This seems rather excessive, no? I mean, all these websites exist to cater to iPod users. That can only be good for Apple business wise. __________________ MacBook Pro + iPhone 3G

Sep 19, 2005, 01:26 PM	#3
stoid macrumors 68040 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: So long, and thanks for all the fish!	Maybe Apple is planning to rename the iPod at some point in the future.... Not likely, but it would be another explanation I suppose. __________________ Get Salted!

Sep 19, 2005, 01:33 PM	#4
dogcowx macrumors member Join Date: May 2004	And yet... Sites with "Apple" or "Mac" in the titles or URLs are just fine and dandy. Double standard? Last edited by dogcowx : Sep 19, 2005 at 04:28 PM.

Sep 19, 2005, 01:58 PM	#6
solvs macrumors 601 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: LaLaLand, CA	This seems odd to me. It's not like it's trademark infringment. Sometimes Apple does things that don't make sense. __________________ True love never dies The only thing more dangerous than a woman scorned, is a man with nothing left to lose... Last edited by Doctor Q : Sep 19, 2005 at 07:19 PM. Reason: removed comment on since-deleted post

Sep 19, 2005, 02:04 PM	#7
Lacero macrumors 601 Join Date: Jan 2005	www.irumors.com is available. Arn?

Sep 19, 2005, 02:08 PM	#8
whooleytoo macrumors 68040 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cork, Ireland.	A tad ironic, coming from a company named after Apple Records and using it's logo subject to a major court case... Am I the only one who's seriously starting to hate Apple (but love its products?) __________________ Greenpeace Apple Mac <- Macintosh <- McIntosh apples <- John McIntosh <- McIntosh surname <- "Mac an toshach" <- "Son of the Chief"

Sep 19, 2005, 02:35 PM	#10
clayj macrumors 601 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: 1123,6536,5321	One wonders if the site previously known as "ipodlounge.com" got one of these notices and just decided it was better not to fight Apple... they're "ilounge.com" now. __________________ mba guru mac pro 2.8 ghz 8 core 14 gb ram 4 tb hd 30" acd \| macbook air 1.8 ghz 64 gb ssd \| mac minis 2.0 ghz c2d 1.66 ghz cd \| iphone 3G \| ipods x4

Sep 19, 2005, 02:36 PM	#11
California macrumors 68030 Join Date: Aug 2004	It's a "nano" world at Apple?

Sep 19, 2005, 03:39 PM	#14
mkubal macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Tampa	Clearly they're going to change the name of the iPod, but instead of a new name it will be known only by a symbol. A symbol which no one can pronounce so they will simply refer to them as "the music player formerly known as the iPod." So you'll get new sites popping up like http://www.themusicplayerformerlykno...ipodlounge.com. I know, it seems like a really long site name, but what can you do, it's no longer a thing, it's an idea. And everyone will be required by buy a new rebranded (insert new iPod symbol here). Seems likely, no? Last edited by mkubal : Sep 19, 2005 at 03:42 PM.

Sep 19, 2005, 04:07 PM	#17
carpe diem Banned Join Date: Sep 2005	It is Apple's right to do so if some one is making money of Apple's trademark. It may be harsh but thats business right!

Sep 19, 2005, 04:09 PM	#18
Chappers macrumors 68000 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: At home	You have to protect your copyright otherwise anyone can use it for whatever. So it may seem heavy handed but..... __________________ Check out the fortnightly photo challenge at Culture don't make Light of it

Sep 19, 2005, 04:18 PM	#19
AP_piano295 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2005	why the hell would apple do that everything being labled an ipod essential is or an ipod product helps apples buisness. __________________ Smile Last edited by AP_piano295 : Sep 20, 2005 at 04:15 PM.

Sep 19, 2005, 04:20 PM	#20
narco macrumors 65816 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: California.	I think that the "iLounge" got a head start because they're the largest iPod-related website. They changed their name because of "expansion" reasons, nobody questions it, everything is fine. Now this lawsuit comes up which can definitely be bad press for Apple, especially in the wake of all that ThinkSecret mess. Since nobody really knows about any other iPod websites, little press will go to the story and everyone is happy. That's just my take. Fishes, narco.

Sep 19, 2005, 04:20 PM	#21
garotemonkey macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2005	Heh heh heh Gee, Apple's getting a bit jumpy with their trademark. I figured they'd at least wait until the domains "www.ipodsuck.com" or "www.ipodsucks.com" were hosting sites. Anyone remember what happened to "www.walmartsucks.com" ? Wasn't there a big brouhaha about them?

Sep 19, 2005, 04:24 PM	#22
~Shard~ macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: 1123.6536.5321	This seems a bit much to me. As an earlier poster said, why not just ban the use of "Mac" in URLs as well? Why just the iPod, what makes it so special? I have agreed in the past with some of Apple's other legal endeavours, but can't say I'm on board for this one... __________________ My riches consist not in the extent of my possessions, but in the fewness of my wants. - J. Brotherton

Sep 19, 2005, 04:25 PM	#23
wPod macrumors 68000 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Denver, CO	come on apple, if it werent for all these sites then people would get bored of just a plain old iPod. they need iPod accessories etc. if people have to start calling their sites "applemp3deviceaccessoreies.com" heh come on, as long as they arent slapping the name on a music playing device then i think they should be able to use iPod. . . . i mean, apple still uses apple, and doesnt prodduce music! heh!! __________________ 15" PB 1.33 Ghz 1.5GB ram, Dell 2005FPW Mac Mini solo 1.5 Ghz; iPod 10GB 1gen, 20GB 4gen, 80GB 5.5gen, Shuffle 1 gen 512, 2gen 1GB TV 40GB

Sep 19, 2005, 04:36 PM	#24
m-dogg macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Connecticut	you'd think that apple would be happy that thier brand name has become so successful that it has become synonomous with 'digital music player' - It's like free advertising! Last edited by Doctor Q : Sep 19, 2005 at 07:22 PM. Reason: removed comment that led to off-topic posts

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