Even more Postal Service/Apple Intel Ad drama: Apple 'censors' Postal Service video

The above image is from a side by side comparison of the Postal Service's video for 'Such Great Heights,' to itself done by Elite Productions. It compares the video as it is seen on the iTMS (on the left) and in 'wild.' You'll notice that the video from the iTunes Music store has the words 'Skyworks' blurred out. Some have called this an Apple conspiracy, saying that Apple wasn't content to steal the video contents, but they had to screw with the video itself.

The real answer, I am sure, rests with the fact that 'Skyworks' is a registered trademark of Skyworks Solutions, Inc which is a 'leader in radio solutions and precision analog semiconductors servicing a diversified set of mobile communications customers,' to quote their website.

No conspiracy, just Apple legal avoiding another fight.

Update: Thanks to ian who points out that 'Skyworks' is blurred out on Sub pop's website as well (Subpop being the Postal Services 'label,' as folks in the industry call it). Therefore, it is clear that Apple digitized the video like this, and it was Subpop's legal department that called for the blurring of the registered trademark.

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Source: http://www.eliteproductionswi.com/apple-ps-censored.htm

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iTS Video Apple

The above image is from a side by side comparison of the Postal Service's video for 'Such Great Heights,' to itself done by Elite...

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matthew

"I am so tired of hearing about this video.

Let. It. Go."

me too.

Why the hell do these music labels allow videos to be filmed with brand labels in them if they just have to blur them afterwards. Dumb.

January 26 2006 at 9:26 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

dave

You know, it's not Apple that is at fault here, but the Ad Agency that pitched / created the ad. I'm pretty sure they mocked something awesome up, noone on the marketing side of Apple saw the thing they were ripping off, and were like, "this is great! so cool!" and bam...

I bet that Agency is now getting this asses reamed by the client. "What the fuck! Can't you come up with a fucking orginal idea on your own?? We're sending out an RFP now!"

January 26 2006 at 7:43 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Scott McNulty

Wow, Mac Diva, you're starting to sound like LD. ;)

But thanks for the constructive criticism, I guess?

January 26 2006 at 7:31 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

gr33n

ok, here's the real deal - they all copied NOLF:

http://bumbieris.wordpress.com/2006/01/26/nolf-vs-apple-vs-thepostalservice/

January 26 2006 at 6:01 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Mac Diva

Jeez, Scott. If you had time to write this drivel, you had time to research the issue and find out you didn't know what you are talking about. You are a very lazy blogger.

January 26 2006 at 3:38 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

ian

the version on the subpop website is also blurred, so its not apple.

http://67.88.217.34/downloads/free/Such_Great_Heights275.mov

January 26 2006 at 3:07 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Justin

Steve Rhodes, you are completely correct.

go watch MTV (or MuchMusic) and you'll notice they blur all the logos. The 'in the wild' version was probably released on the website or a dvd, etc.

January 26 2006 at 1:20 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Blah

Hey, you just need to remember that the director most likely had the creative rights to the video, so he could do whatever the hell he wanted with the idea.

Screw The Postal Service. I never really cared for them. Death Cab was always much better.

January 25 2006 at 11:15 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Steve Rhodes

Some music video shows/channels may have required the blurring (you see blurring like that on MTV all the time) and Subpop (or whoever provides their videos to iTunes - most of which are available for free on their site) provided that version.

January 25 2006 at 7:46 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

macguy

I agree, this is getting old now. Just leave it alone and talk about something else. Too many articles on this already. We don't need to see more.

January 25 2006 at 7:14 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply