Filed under: Macworld, Video, Cult of Mac, Bad Apple
Apple Intel ad not so original?

Leander Kahney reports that Apple new Intel ad that is getting all sort of love from Mac fan everywhere, might have been done before and not by Apple. It seems that the Postal Service (a rock and roll band that the kids are listening to) has a video for 'Such Great Heights' which bears an uncanny resemblance to the Apple ad.
Leander has a link to the video for you to compare and contrast.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Chuck said 6:00PM on 1-11-2006
I've been saying that they ripped off The Postal Service ever since I saw the ad. Unfortunately I've been saying it mainly to myself, so...er...nevermind. Point is, it's almost as if someone watched the video for "Such Great Heights" and said:
"Let's make our new Intel/Mac Ad EXACTLY like that!
Don't bother with redoing it, I even like the longing looks given to each other as they carefully pass silicon wafers aroud."
"Brilliant!"
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David C. said 6:03PM on 1-11-2006
Ha, I did notice that when I first saw the new ad, but did they really take the idea from it? I remember at one time during the iPod/VW Beetle giveaway when this exact song was given away on some ad at apple.com, but that was a long time ago.
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justin said 6:10PM on 1-11-2006
If you look at the two side by side, they share some of the same shots with some of the same actors/people. So I'd guess that Apple (or their agency) bought the rights to the video the Postal Service used and re-purposed it a bit.
Else, Apple is gonna get a whole mess of a law suit.
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Jason F. said 6:16PM on 1-11-2006
I was just discussing this with my roommate earlier today, Im glad Im not the only one to spot it.
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Reg Muffet said 6:20PM on 1-11-2006
Since when is paying homage a ripoff?!
The Apple Intel ad actually makes much more sense when viewed in the context of the music video.
I think the similarity is very deliberate, and I don't think it is a ripping anyone off.
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Rib said 6:22PM on 1-11-2006
Why don't you give the url for Leander's report?
http://wiredblogs.tripod.com/cultofmac/index.blog?entry_id=1385523
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Nic said 6:26PM on 1-11-2006
On the upside I've been introduced to some new music, just a pity that as normal anything I want on iTunes is in the US store but not the UK store, really starting to think those Russian sites look interesting :-)
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Jason said 6:47PM on 1-11-2006
LOL! if you watch the Intel ad closely, you can even see the word "EMO" on the wall (on the right side of the movie)
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Kevin Ryan said 6:54PM on 1-11-2006
Yeah, I'm also glad others caught this. The Postal Service's video is amazing, and although there is more than just a resemblance, I'm glad someone at Apple recognized the beauty of that video.
Even if they did copy it.
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consumer_q said 7:01PM on 1-11-2006
A bit of a stre---------------tch.
Intel has used the people-in-white-suit thing for a while.
Remember the Simpsons bit?
http://media.putfile.com/Simpsons-Intel-Commercial-Video
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random said 7:25PM on 1-11-2006
It's practically identical. I guess Apple/Intel bought the rights to the video, shortened it, took off the original audio track, and threw on a voiceover?
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Jesse said 7:28PM on 1-11-2006
yeah, i was thinking it had to be a spoof/homage, but has that video really gotten much play? i only saw it on the internet. then again, i don't watch that much mtv/vh1.
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Carlos said 7:37PM on 1-11-2006
My comment is not so much about the ad as it is about The Postal Service. Just wanted to point out that they're not really a Rock band, much more New Wave/Electronic than rock (for a rock band with the same-ish sound, the vocalist for The Postal Service is also in a band called Death Cab for Cutie).
Also, I wouldn't really say "That the kids are listening to", as they aren't exactly mainstream so you would actually have to know a bit bout music to have heard of them.
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Sam said 8:02PM on 1-11-2006
i can only think that the postal service were contacted, or they will play at an event soon for apple. like the next ipod intro
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Zach said 8:16PM on 1-11-2006
It's not totally the same.
I actually watched the Intel ad about 15 minutes after watching the SGH video, and the actors are different. The guy is way different (intel - asian, oldish, SGH - not), and the girl a little bit.
However, the shots are set up the same.
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Mac Diva said 9:01PM on 1-11-2006
So, now is everyone is to be precluded from using employees in a clean environment in videos or ads because the Postal Service did it first? Grow up, people. The scripts for the video and the Apple ads are quite different. Perhaps a nuisance lawsuit will be filed, but there are no grounds for a legitimate one.
(BTW, a Postal Service song was in one of the iTunes free samplers.)
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flash said 9:41PM on 1-11-2006
that's keifer sutherland's voice in the ad, isnt it?
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imarkg5 said 10:09PM on 1-11-2006
infringing on a 3 year old video that nearly nobody has seen anyway? thats pushing it just like the Lugz commercial that was also totally off the radar.
How are you gona be not similar if you are using chip creators as your focus? Making eyes at each other? you are totally reaching for a reason to even stir something up there. they are handling an expensive plate of processors how are you gona look at someone?
also before you cry rip off & foul, how do you know that the same director didnt do the apple ad & the video?
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John P. said 11:18PM on 1-11-2006
Hmm, these seem too similar for Apple to have blatantly ripped these off (or more precisely, Apple's AD agency). Nice music video.
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samiq said 11:39PM on 1-11-2006
Though, I will tell u that it is really nice to c the work u do (the fab people in their bunny suites) in a tv add from apple... it is really exciting.
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