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ITV Warns Apple (Again) Not to Use Their Name [Updated]

Hmmm... Interesting! - It would be quite nice to read a little more about this if it gets a little more heated.

But, Apple are obviously having a similar problem in China with the iPad trademark? So I'm not sure what's going to happen.

ITV here in the UK is embedded in our media culture. Unless you're a big Apple fan, ITV will always be more popular than the rumoured iTV. This could cause confusion! - Exciting.
 
kurosov said:
First, the network is ITV (sometimes as itv) not iTV.

Second, they are older than apples use of the "i".

I find this rumour quite funny. Network execs warning a company to not name a product they have so far not even acknowledged to be working on because 'analysts' have been using the name like they did with the 'iTab/tablet'.
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ITV also use itv
 
Don't think Apple will be nuts enough to spend any kind of money to get iTV as a worldwide trademark.

Guaranteed that plenty of squatters have already trademarked any word they can think off with "i" in front of it, hoping for that big pay day.

Apple TV or aTV is fine, except that they'll have to discontinue or at least rename the current aTV, if there really is a TV set.

Edit: Somebody also just posted that the original aTV would have to be renamed. Don't think aTV mini would be it though:)
 
Actually...

Apple wouldn't just have to fight ITV plc for the iTV trademark but probably a number of other companies too. Having done a quick search of TESS (the US trademark database) I can see that Monster Cables own quite a few live ITV trademarks too - and those do relate to DSE hardware (monitors, TV sets, etc.)
 
ChrisTX said:
While I completely agree that "iTV" in the UK has a right to defend their name. I think it's dumb when all of these different people, and companies start using the lower case "i" to market their goods, and services when it is clearly has been associated with the Apple brand first and foremost.

I read a couple posts back where ITV has been around for 50 or so years. Regardless my point still stands that everyone needs to leave the lowercase "i" to Apple and come up with a new marketing scheme.
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Wait, so your point still stands even though your point makes no sense in this context ? Good grief... :rolleyes:
 
kurosov said:
First, the network is ITV (sometimes as itv) not iTV.

Second, they are older than apples use of the "i".

I find this rumour quite funny. Network execs warning a company to not name a product they have so far not even acknowledged to be working on because 'analysts' have been using the name like they did with the 'iTab/tablet'.
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Therbo said:
You do realise iTV has been using the iTV name before Apple was even founded?
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To address both yeah I quickly realized ITV has been around longer after I made my comment, and quickly edited my post. Sorry I've never heard of ITV living in the states. Secondly, didn't realize they used capital I, and not lower case.


KnightWRX said:
Wait, so your point still stands even though your point makes no sense in this context ? Good grief... :rolleyes:
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Well re edited, referring to everyone else that uses the lowercase "i" I know we have all seen PLENTY of companies that aren't Apple use this. I live in the states, and have never heard of ITV so I my initial post was a bit ignorant of the fact that ITV has been around so long.
 
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-Garry- said:
Actually...

Apple wouldn't just have to fight ITV plc for the iTV trademark but probably a number of other companies too. Having done a quick search of TESS (the US trademark database) I can see that Monster Cables own quite a few live ITV trademarks too - and those do relate to DSE hardware (monitors, TV sets, etc.)
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Interesting, nice find.

Might as well close this thread really, since we've now confirmed ITV trademarks exist in the UK, USA and Japan. Case closed.:)
 
KnightWRX said:
All threads on Macrumors turn into this as soon as someone "opposes" Apple. You're the new Adobe/Samsung/Microsoft/Google/Nokia/RIM. The UK now makes "crap" and "should be bought out/sued/destroyed" by Apple.

Enjoy your new status on MacRumors as public enemy #1. ;)
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Aww, theres no reason to hate on Google.
 
Lesser Evets said:
haha Well, yeah. But, everyone sees something else in the pile.

W&J and Prisoner are the greatest, but I grew up on that UHF repeating of the Marionation shows and Space 1999, etc. ITV is no small-time TV producer. Nowadays they handle some of Britains greatest raters.

Samxool should rename Sumtool. ITV has made some of the TV greats--worldwide greats--known and loved by billions.
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I know ITV produce a fair amout of real dross (Jeremy Kyle springs to mind:eek:) but there are also pure gems that have worldwide recognition (Inspector Morse/Lewis for example).
 
I've known a few British people and spent some time in England. Based on my experience, I am fairly confident that they are smart enough to differentiate between ITV, the broadcast company and an Apple iTV based on the context of whatever statement might be made using either one. No one is likely to assume that they are purchasing the entirety of the ITV network for 99 pounds. I think it would be just fine if Apple really couldn't think of anything else to call the thing for ITV to license the usage of "Apple iTV" to them without causing rioting in the streets or a major collapse in the space-time continuum. perhaps they will stipulate that in the UK it must be marketed as the "Apple iTelevision" or something like that.

Or Apple could just call it iVision. or something. We will see what gets worked out when we see it. I don't know why people get in such a tizzy over things like this.
 
DakotaGuy said:
If Apple wants the name then ITV should hand it over and they can rename their network. Of course Apple will need to pay them for it, but bringing this products name in line with all the other iDevices would be nice.
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I think Apple should rename their software division "Microsoft". Of course, Microsoft can rename their company in return for a few beans....
 
Therbo said:
You sound like a complete retard. Whats the Queen of Irelands? Ireland dosen't even have a Queen.

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True, whenever im sad I just put on Jeremy Kyle and wet my pants full of laughter.
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Dude, whatever you're wetting your pants with... it's not 'laughter.'

----------

So ITV plc might sue Apple over a possible product that could be called the ITV. Fair enough.
 
ARandomFellow said:
I've known a few British people and spent some time in England. Based on my experience, I am fairly confident that they are smart enough to differentiate between ITV, the broadcast company and an Apple iTV based on the context of whatever statement might be made using either one. No one is likely to assume that they are purchasing the entirety of the ITV network for 99 pounds. I think it would be just fine if Apple really couldn't think of anything else to .
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That's not the point, though. If Sony brought out a TV called CBS, then CBS would not be happy.
 
-Garry- said:
Dude, whatever you're wetting your pants with... it's not 'laughter.'

----------

So ITV plc might sue Apple over a possible product that could be called the ITV. Fair enough.
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I probably phrased that wrong, but Jeremy Kyle is just funny. Beats Family Guy any day. I don't know who's more stupid, Peter Griffin or the people on Jeremy Kyle.
 
Read my mind

SPNarwhal said:
I think Apple TV sounds a lot better than iTV anyway.
and even if they called it "Apple iTV" that wouldn't really change anything, people wouldn't call it the "Apple iTV" they would call it iTV.

And then the box would say "Apple" branded, and then "Apple iTV"? That would look silly.

Apple TV works.
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I was about to say this exact same thing. Apple TV sounds better than iTV anyways.
 
allmIne said:
As was mentioned above, though, it's enterprise value you need to take account of when determining takeover viability. And that's an awful lot larger than ITV's market capitalisation. ($306billion!)
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Err, there's no way ITV is worth anything like $306 billion! The EV figure on Yahoo is nonsense. If it were really worth that then everyone should rush out and buy ITV shares because they are massively undervalued!

It's true that when takeover offers are made for public companies, the amount offered typically incudes a premium over the market capitalization. But that premium is usually on the order of 20-100%.

Of course, I don't think there's any way Apple would be interested in taking over a UK TV network. Most likely scenarios:

a) New Apple TV is not called "iTV"
b) Apple releases "iTV" anyway, and comes to some agreement with ITV over shared use of the name
c) Apple releases "iTV" but calls it "Apple TV" in the UK market to avoid confusion/lawsuits. GMail was called "Google Mail" in some European countries for a long time, for a similar reason.
 
markmcrobie said:
It's an open and shut case though - ITV own the trademark and Apple can't use it in the territories where they hold it.
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Exactly what I was thinking. Some people on here don't have a clue. Does not matter how much money Apple have they can't buy or win in court a case that would be thrown out instantly. ITV already own the trademark and they are well established.

What would Apple's legal case be, that they have more money so they deserve it?
 
I'm guessing the new screens will also be Apple TV, with the existing (but perhaps updated) Apple TV set top box being something like Apple TV Solo/Standalone/Lite

i.e.

Price point 1: Apple TV Lite
Price point 2: Apple TV 32"
Price point 3: Apple TV 40"
Price point 4: Apple TV 60"

If they are serious about entering the lounge, Apple need to accept that much of their target market will already have good quality HD, 3D etc. flat screen TV's, costing thousands. Perhaps these will be connected to Cable/Satellite boxes for the exclusive sports deals, and to home steroes for surround sound.

So... I'm going with Apple TV as a brand extension of the existing product.
 
Or they could use a lot of alternative names. iView or iVision are just a couple of quick examples. Not sure if the above names are taken too, though. But still, they can think of some more at Apple, I'm sure. Besides, wouldn't iTV be too predictable ?
 
KnightWRX said:
I'm pretty sure a UK household TV network that's been around for some 60 years can afford a trademark lawyer. ;)
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60 years? Or maybe 8.

When ITV started in 1955 it wasn't the name of a company. It was simply a catch-all abbreviation for the Independant Television companies regulated by the ITA.

The company - ITV plc was created in 2004 when the largest two companies (Carlton & Granada) merged.

Mind you - people in the UK have always called it ITV :)
 
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