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Apple Legal vs iPod Domains

M

MacBytes

macrumors bot
Original poster


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.
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2005/09/19/apple-legal-vs-ipod-domains/
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.
 
Maybe Apple is planning to rename the iPod at some point in the future....

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

Sites with "Apple" or "Mac" in the titles or URLs are just fine and dandy. Double standard?
 
stoid said:
Maybe Apple is planning to rename the iPod at some point in the future....

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

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.
 
This seems odd to me. It's not like it's trademark infringment. Sometimes Apple does things that don't make sense. 😕
 
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?)
 
solvs said:
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. 😕
Click to expand...

like dropping iPod firewire syncing? uhm... yeah.
 
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.
 
whooleytoo said:
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?)
Click to expand...

You're definitely not the only one; I'm with you.
 
clayj said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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 www.themusicplayerformerlyknownastheipodlounge.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? 😉
 
mkubal said:
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 www.themusicplayerformerlyknownastheipodlounge.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? 😉
Click to expand...

😀 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? 😛
 
whooleytoo said:
😀 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? 😛
Click to expand...

Unfathomable really. Maybe I should buy it and then sell it later when someone really wants it. 😛
 
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!
 
You have to protect your copyright otherwise anyone can use it for whatever. So it may seem heavy handed but.....
 
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.
 
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?
 
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... 🙁
 
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!!
 
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!
 
m-dogg said:
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!
Click to expand...
100% agreed. It's just bad press, and I can't see any good outcome.
 
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